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The withdrawal comes after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denied the team permission to travel across the border
19 November, 2024
The Indian cricket team has officially withdrawn from the upcoming T20 World Cup for the Blind, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from November 23 to December 3. The withdrawal comes after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denied the team permission to travel across the border.
Shailendra Yadav, General Secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association (IBCA), confirmed the news, revealing that while the Indian team had received a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Sports Ministry, they had been waiting for clearance from the government. However, the MEA informed them that permission would not be granted for the team to travel to Pakistan.
“We were waiting for the last 25 days to get permission from the government to go to Pakistan. Now we can’t wait any longer as the tournament is about to begin. When I talked with the Ministry of External affairs (MEA) on the phone then they told us that we won't be getting any permission to go to Pakistan and we can cancel your tournament. They also told us that we will be getting an official letter of denial as well. However, we haven’t got any official letter yet but on the basis of our conversation with MEA we’ve decided not to go to Pakistan and we will not participate in the Blind T20 World Cup,” Yadav told India Today.
Yadav further revealed that India was not the only team to withdraw from the tournament. England, Australia, and New Zealand have also pulled out, leaving the competition without several key teams.
"Along with us, England, Australia and New Zealand are also not coming. Hence, India will become the fourth team which will not take part in this tournament. However, it’s a bit sad for cricket in general as cricket is a game for everyone. The match between India and Pakistan is watched intently by fans and both are really good sides. Now Pakistan will get a free walkover and it’s also tragic for the players who’ve been working hard for a long time. The team had to leave tomorrow on November 20 and I don’t think any miracle can happen in such a short period. Hence, we’ve decided not take part in the tournament that is scheduled to be held in Lahore, Pakistan," he added.
The Blind T20 World Cup, which is set to be held in Lahore, Pakistan, will go on without the Indian team, as confirmed by the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC). PBCC Chairman Syed Sultan Shah had earlier stated that the Indian team had been issued visas, but the withdrawal is a blow to the tournament's prestige.
India's decision comes shortly after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian men's cricket team would not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. While the Champions Trophy is unlikely to proceed without India, the Blind T20 World Cup will continue without the defending champions.
India has won the Blind T20 World Cup three times, dominating the tournament since its inception in 2012. The team is the defending champion, having triumphed in 2022 with a commanding 120-run victory over Bangladesh in the final. With this withdrawal, the team’s long-standing unbeaten run in the competition will come to an abrupt halt.
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