The Indian blind cricket team is still awaiting government approval to participate in the Blind T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from November 23 to December 3, 2024. Although they have received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the team is waiting for clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs. The delay has raised concerns, as the team has been waiting for over two weeks, and there has been no formal clarification on the matter.
The Secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association has expressed readiness to accept the government’s decision but highlighted that the Indian blind cricket team had previously traveled to Pakistan in 2014 for a bilateral series. He also noted that Pakistan did not participate in an event held in India in 2023, making the situation complex.
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Regarding the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing a challenge following the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision not to send its team to Pakistan. This has led to discussions about potential alternatives to Pakistan hosting the tournament. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has expressed a strong desire to retain the hosting rights for Pakistan but acknowledged the possibility of considering other options if necessary.
One proposed solution is the “hybrid model,” under which most of the tournament would be held in Pakistan, but India’s matches, and possibly the final, could take place in Dubai, UAE. This model is intended to address India’s security concerns while maintaining Pakistan as the primary host. However, Naqvi clarified that no formal discussions on this hybrid model have taken place yet, and he warned against expecting Pakistan to always make concessions. If this compromise fails to gain consensus, media reports suggest that the tournament may be moved entirely to South Africa.
The outcome of these discussions will likely depend on the decisions of the ICC and the respective governments involved.
