In a dramatic turn of events, the Pakistan cricket team has finally been granted visas for the upcoming ICC World Cup in India. Following a prolonged delay in the visa issuance process, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was compelled to abandon their team-building preparations in Dubai this week. They are now scheduled to depart for India later this Wednesday, just in time for their inaugural warm-up clash against New Zealand in Hyderabad this Friday.
Expressing their frustration over the protracted visa delay, the PCB lodged a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC). A PCB spokesperson articulated their concerns, stating, “There has been an extraordinary delay in obtaining clearance and securing Indian visas for the Pakistan team for the ICC World Cup. We have communicated our grievances to the ICC, highlighting the disparity in treatment towards Pakistan and underscoring the obligations tied to this prestigious tournament.”
The ordeal has left the Pakistan team grappling with uncertainty in the lead-up to this major sporting event. Remarkably, these concerns have been communicated to the ICC for the past three years, culminating in a tense two-day window leading up to their first warm-up match on September 29.
The friction between the cricket boards of India and Pakistan has been palpable in the buildup to the World Cup. Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup, citing security concerns. Consequently, the tournament was conducted using a hybrid model, with pivotal matches, including the final, hosted in Colombo.
The eagerly anticipated ten-nation World Cup is set to commence on October 5 in Ahmedabad, with warm-up fixtures kicking off this Friday. It is noteworthy that Pakistan has yet to secure a victory against India in ODI World Cups.
As the cricketing world gears up for this monumental event, the tumultuous journey to obtaining visas serves as a poignant reminder of the intricacies and tensions that underscore international sports diplomacy.
