Indian Blind Cricket Team Awaits Government Approval For T20 World Cup In Pakistan Amidst Uncertainty

The Indian blind cricket team is eagerly awaiting the final go-ahead from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs. They need these approvals to compete in the T20 World Cup for the Blind, which Pakistan is hosting for the first time.

The tournament will run from November 23 to December 3, with matches planned in Lahore and Multan. The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) has already received a No Objection Certificate from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This allows participation as long as no government funding is required.

CABI still needs final clearances from both the MEA and MHA. The organization has been waiting over two weeks for a response. CABI General Secretary Shailender Yadav expressed his frustration, stating, "It's been 15 days now that we are waiting for clearance, and we just need a yes or no from the government."

Reflecting on past events, Yadav noted that their last visit to Pakistan was in 2014 for a bilateral series. In 2018, they were denied clearance by the government, and in 2023, Pakistan chose not to participate when India hosted the tournament.

The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC), which is organizing the event, has already issued visas to the Indian team. PBCC Chairman Syed Sultan Shah emphasized that the tournament will proceed regardless of India's participation. "All other teams are coming to Pakistan for the World Cup. If one team doesn't show up, it won't affect our preparations," Shah stated.

India's absence would be significant as they are defending champions. They have won previous editions in 2012, 2017, and 2022. In last year's final held in Bengaluru, India defeated Bangladesh by 120 runs.

Team Composition and Goals

This year’s competition will feature teams from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, Nepal, and Afghanistan competing for victory. The Indian squad was selected after extensive trials and includes experienced players like Ajay Kumar Reddy Illuri and Sunil Ramesh.

The team is divided into B1 (totally blind), B2 (partially blind), and B3 (partially sighted) categories. They aim to defend their title but await a final nod from the government before proceeding.