India delays approval for blind team's T20 WC trip to Pakistan amid CT row

The Indian blind cricket team is still awaiting approval from the Indian government to participate in the Blind T20 World Cup in Pakistan, which is scheduled from November 23 to December 3, 2024.

Although the team has received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, they are still waiting for clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs.

According to the Secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association, the team has been waiting for government clearance for two weeks and is seeking clarification on the matter.

The official mentioned that while they have not yet received an official approval, they are ready to accept the government's decision. He pointed out that the Indian blind cricket team visited Pakistan for a bilateral series in 2014, while in 2023, Pakistan did not participate in an event held in India.

The Blind T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from November 23 to December 3, 2024.

Could this country host Champions Trophy 2025 instead of Pakistan?

In the wake of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision not to send its team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) now faces the challenging task of deciding whether to retain hosting rights or explore alternate options.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is adamant about hosting the event in Pakistan but may have to reconsider if the International Cricket Council's (ICC) proposed hybrid model, allowing for split venues, fails to gain consensus.

According to media reports, should the hybrid model be rejected, the tournament may be moved entirely to South Africa.

The ICC has proposed a compromise to address India’s security concerns: Pakistan would host most of the tournament, while India’s games—and possibly the final—would take place in Dubai, UAE. This model is intended to uphold Pakistan's role as the primary host while meeting India’s safety stipulations.

Naqvi, however, stated that no formal talks on this hybrid option have occurred and warned against expecting Pakistan to always make concessions. "Till today, no one has discussed any ‘Hybrid Model’ with us nor are we willing to talk about it. But we have been showing good gestures for the last few years, and no one should expect us to do it all the time," Naqvi remarked at a press briefing at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

PCB officials confirmed that the BCCI, citing government advice, officially informed the ICC that they would not send their team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. This communication was then relayed to the Pakistani government for guidance on further action.