PC: Cricket Addiction
Less than 48 hours before leaving for Hyderabad for the upcoming World Cup, the Pakistan cricket team finally got Indian visas late on Monday evening. The development came after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent a strongly worded letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) expressing its concern over the long delay in obtaining Indian visas for the World Cup, starting on October 5 in Ahmedabad. Concern was expressed.
The team, led by captain Babar Azam, will now leave for Dubai from Lahore on Wednesday morning, and then fly to Hyderabad in the afternoon. Their first practice match against New Zealand is to be held on Friday.
PC: Geo. tv
Originally, Pakistan had planned a two-day training camp in Dubai on Monday and Tuesday before their trip to Hyderabad. However, due to visa delays, the PCB had to cancel the camp and reschedule the flights for Wednesday. Frustrated with the delay, the PCB contacted the ICC about the situation, and at around 8 p.m. the Indian High Commission issued visas for the Pakistani team.
In its letter to the ICC, the PCB said, "There has been an extraordinary delay in getting clearance and securing Indian visas for the Pakistan team for the ICC World Cup. We have written to the ICC to express our concerns about the unequal treatment towards Pakistan." “Reminding them of their responsibilities towards the World Cup.” The PCB expressed disappointment that the team faced uncertainty just days before the big tournament.
PC: The Economic Times
PCB spokesperson Umar Farooq outlined the visa application process: "We sent the first batch of passport details for the Indian visa application to the ICC on 18 August. The ICC sent the visa invitation letter on 28 August. After our return on September 15, we submitted visa applications along with passports at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on September 19."
This visa case is the latest chapter in Pakistan's World Cup journey. Earlier, the PCB had considered pulling out of the tournament in India after the BCCI refused to participate in the Asia Cup held in Pakistan. The Pakistan team eventually traveled to Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup after getting clearance from its foreign ministry.
