The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to International Cricket Council (ICC) and expressed their displeasure over the India’s delay in issuing visa to Pakistan team for the World Cup 2023. Notably, the team is scheduled to fly on Wednesday, but the visas had still not been issued to the squad.
In the letter addressed to ICC CEO Geoff Allardice, the PCB also claimed that its concerns over visa being granted to players, team officials, fans and journalists for the World Cup in India have not been addressed for more than three years.
Pakistan’s 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 |
Pakistan were supposed to have a two-day team bonding session in Dubai before their scheduled arrival in Hyderabad on September 27.
“Since the last week PCB is being informed that the visas will be received within 24 hours; but still awaiting and it has been indicated that the Indian Home Ministry has not granted NOC,” a PCB spokesperson told PTI on Monday.
The Babar Azam-led side plays two warm-up games and as many World Cup matches in Hyderabad. They will play practice fixture against New Zealand on September 29.
Visa delay forced flight re-booking: PCB
PCB sources informed that flight tickets of around 35-member Pakistan contingent have been re-booked due to visa delay. Subject to visa, the team will now leave for Hyderabad from Lahore in the wee hours of September 27 and reach Hyderabad in the night.
“Visa delay has resulted in a setback as far as team’s preparation for the World Cup is concerned. The warm-up game is less than four days away and players are in a state of uncertainty. If the players are having to experience delays, one can only wonder what will happen to visa applications of fans and journalists,” a source said.
Notably, Visa applications from Pakistan require clearances from three ministries — home, external affairs and sports. Pakistan’s second warm-up game will be against Australia on October 3, also in Hyderabad.
*Inputs from PTI
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