The Indian men’s blind cricket team is set to withdraw from the Blind T20 World Cup set to be held in Pakistan. The information was given by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India assistant secretary Sailendra Yadav, while speaking to India Today. The decision came up after the Indian blind cricket team was denied permission to travel to Pakistan by the Ministry of Home and External Affairs of India. The Indian men’s blind cricket team has won the previous three editions of the tournament, however, as the competition will now be played without India’s participation, the tournament will have new champion.
The Indian men’s blind team was earlier given clearance to travel to Pakistan by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. The Blind Men’s T20 World Cup will be played from November 23 to December 3 in Pakistan. Pakistan Blind Cricket Council chairman Syed Sultan Shah had earlier informed that if India’s withdraws from the tournament it will be played without the Indian team as per the planned schedule. As quoted by Aaj Tak, he said, “‘All other teams are coming for the Blind T20 World Cup. If one team does not come, it will not affect our preparations.”
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While informing the media CABI assistant secretary Sailendra Yadav said that the Indian men’s blind team toured Pakistan for a bilateral series back in 2014 but the Pakistani team denied to come in 2018. Also, last time the Blind T20 World Cup was held in India but then as well Pakistan had denied to come to India.
India and Pakistan are among the most discussed topics in the cricket fraternity at the current time. BCCI has already denied to participate in the tournament which is set to be hosted in Pakistan and wants it to be played under the hybrid model. However, PCB is firm on its stance and doesn’t want to host any other match outside Pakistan. The ICC is yet to take a decision regarding the same, however, as per some reports, the schedule of the tournament is expected to be released at the end of this week.
