The Indian cricket team has officially pulled out of the T20 World Cup for the Blind, set to take place in Pakistan from November 23 to December 3. This decision follows the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denying the team permission to travel across the border.
Confirmation of Withdrawal
Shailendra Yadav, General Secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association (IBCA), confirmed the withdrawal. He explained that although the Indian team had received a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Sports Ministry, they were awaiting government clearance. However, the MEA informed them that travel permission to Pakistan would not be granted.
Waiting for Approval
“We had been waiting for 25 days for the government’s permission to travel to Pakistan. With the tournament approaching, we couldn’t delay any longer. When I spoke with the MEA, they confirmed there would be no permission granted and advised us to cancel our participation. While we have yet to receive an official denial letter, we have decided not to attend the Blind T20 World Cup based on our conversation,” Yadav stated.
Other Teams Follow Suit
Yadav revealed that India is not alone in its withdrawal; England, Australia, and New Zealand have also opted out of the tournament, resulting in the absence of several key teams.
Impact on the Tournament
“Along with us, England, Australia, and New Zealand are also not participating, making India the fourth team to withdraw. This is disappointing for cricket as a whole, especially since matches between India and Pakistan attract significant attention from fans. Now, Pakistan will receive a free pass in the tournament, which is unfortunate for the players who have been training hard for this event,” Yadav lamented.
