This has been due to the recent ban by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) which had denied the team permission to cross the border. India has pulled out from the next Blind T20 World Cup to be held in Pakistan from November 23 to December 3, 2024.
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India Declines Participation in T20 World Cup
As for the news concerning Indian cricket team it is necessary to mention that the latter has officially declined its participation in the next T20 World Cup for the Blind starting in Pakistan on November 23 and ending on December 3. Because of its cancelation, the team was refused permission by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to cross the border.
Shailendra Yadav, General Secretary of the IBCA, affirmed the news, explaining that despite having received an NOC from the Sports Ministry, the Indian team was waiting for approval from the government. However, the MEA told them that they would not be permitted to travel to Pakistan with the team.
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Awaits Official MEA Rejection
“We were waiting for the last 25 days to get permission from the government to go to Pakistan.” We can’t wait any longer as the tournament is about to start. When I discussed the matter with MEA on the phone then they informed us that no permission to go to Pakistan would be granted and you could even call off your tournament.
They also informed us that we would expect an official letter of rejection too. But the official letter we have not received the yet Though we talked to MEA it has been decided not to go to Pakistan and hence will not participate in the Blind T20 World Cup, Yadav said to India Today.
Yadav went on further to expose that India was not the only country to pull-out of the tournament. England, Australia and New Zealand have also withdrawn therefore making the competition lose several participating teams.
Blind Cup Withdrawals
We are not coming along with that along with England, Australia and New Zealand. Thus, India will become the fourth team which will not participate into this tournament. But, it’s a little disappointing for cricket in any case, for cricket is the game that belongs to all. It will be a vital match as Indian and Pakistani teams have large fan following and both are good teams actually.
Now, Pakistan will have a free-walker and it is also sad for the players, who have dedicated a long time in training. The team was to move on tomorrow November 20 and I do not think that any kind of miracle can happen within that period. Therefore, we did not agree to participate in the tournament, which is planned for Lahore, Pakistan,” he continued.
Updates
The Blind T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in Lahore, Pakistan will now be held as planned without the Indian team as the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has stated. PBCC chairman Syed Sultan Shah had earlier said that visas for the Indian team had been processed, but the withdrawal is a morale hit for the tournament.
India’s Streak Ends
India’s decision has been made not long after BCCI stated that the Indian men’s cricket team will not play in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy. Well, though Champions Trophy may not proceed without India, Blind T20 World Cup will go on without the defending champions.
India is also the most successful team in the Blind T20 World Cup, which began in 2012. The team is the defending champion that won in 2022 powerfully defeating Bangladesh in the final with a margin of 120 runs. This withdrawal will also see the team’s bet record of being unbeaten in the competition come to an end.
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