48 hours before scheduled departure for World Cup 2023, Pakistan Cricket Team has hit a visa snag. Babar Azam & Co are still waiting for visa and that will force the team to arrive late. Pakistan were supposed to arrive in India on September 25, four days before their warm-up clash against New Zealand on Sep 29 in Hyderabad. But the visa issue has forced Pakistan to cancel team bonding exercises in Dubai. BCCI is in touch with the external affairs ministry and has promised a swift resolution for India visa for Pakistani fans.
“We are aware of the situation and hopeful that it will be solved soon. BCCI is in touch with the external affairs ministry. The weekend has created an issue. But we are hopeful that all visas will be cleared by Monday,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
Pakistan is scheduled to depart for Hyderabad in the wee hours of Wednesday. Team director Mickey Arthur will join the side by 30 September.
This is not the first time that Pakistan have hit a visa snag on India tour. The football team for the SAFF Championship could only arrive in India on the day of the match after several delays in the issuance of visas.
Limited visas for Pakistani fans in World Cup
Meanwhile, BCCI and ICC are still working on limited visas for Pakistani fans in World Cup. In 2016, 250 visas per match were granted for Pakistani fans and journalists. While the number is still unclear, the BCCI & the ICC are working with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs for a limited number of visas. Like T20 World Cup 2016, the fans will get multi-city visa.
“I am not sure of the number yet. But we are working with the MEA along with ICC on some number of visas per match. We are hopeful that some Pakistani fans will be able to attend the team’s matches. Yes, it will be multi-city visa but as far as I know,” the BCCI official told InsideSport.
However, Pakistani fans wishing to attend World Cup matches in India will have produce tickets and hotel bookings while applying for visa.
Pakistan World Cup Schedule
| Date | Day | Team 1 | Team 2 | City | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 6 | Friday | Pakistan | Netherlands | Hyderabad | Pak won by 81 runs |
| Oct 10 | Tuesday | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Hyderabad | Pak won by 6 wickets |
| Oct 14 | Saturday | India | Pakistan | Ahmedabad | India won by 7 wickets |
| Oct 20 | Friday | Australia | Pakistan | Bengaluru | Aus won by 62 runs |
| Oct 23 | Monday | Pakistan | Afghanistan | Chennai | Pak lost by 8 wickets |
| Oct 27 | Friday | Pakistan | South Africa | Chennai | Pak lost by 1-wicket |
| Oct 31 | Tuesday | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Kolkata | Pak won by 7-wickets |
| Nov 4 | Saturday | New Zealand | Pakistan | Bengaluru | Pakistan won by 21 runs via DLS |
| Nov 11 | Saturday | England | Pakistan | Kolkata | 2:00 PM |
