Indian Sports Ministry gives green signal for team to participate in T20 World Cup in Pakistan amidst PCB-BCCI Champions Trophy controversy

New Delhi: In a significant move, the Indian Sports Ministry has given the green light for the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and the Indian blind cricket team to take part in the Blind T20 World Cup in Pakistan. This decision comes at a time when tensions are high between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over the hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Despite concerns over security, the Indian government has sanctioned the blind cricket team's participation in the upcoming tournament, while declining to send Rohit Sharma's team.

According to a report by Sports Tak, the Sports Ministry has issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), allowing the Indian blind cricket team to participate in the T20 World Cup in Pakistan, scheduled from November 23 to December 3. The CABI is now awaiting final clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs to proceed with the tour.

“It’s been 15 days now we are waiting for clearance and we just need a yes or no from the government last time we visited Pakistan was in 2014 for a bilateral series, in 2018 government denied the clearance to visit Pakistan and in 2023 Pakistan team skipped the tournament when it was held in India,” said CABI General Secretary Shailender Yadav.

The Blind T20 World Cup 2024 is set to be hosted in Pakistan for the first time, featuring teams from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, Nepal, and Afghanistan. If granted permission, India will enter the tournament as defending champions. Matches for the Blind T20 World Cup are scheduled to take place in Lahore and Multan.

In the meantime, tensions between the BCCI and PCB over the ICC Champions Trophy have escalated. Following the BCCI’s refusal to participate, the PCB is reportedly considering withdrawing from the event altogether. Additionally, the Pakistan government has advised the PCB to refrain from playing against India in ICC or Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments until the issue is resolved at the governmental level.

“In such a case, one of the options the government is mul­ling is that of asking the PCB to ensure Pakistan don’t participate in the Champions Trophy,” Dawn quoted a source as saying.

The ICC is working to persuade the PCB to remain in the ICC Champions Trophy and has proposed a hybrid model as a solution. Under this arrangement, the PCB would receive the full hosting fees and host the majority of the matches in Pakistan if they agree to proceed.

“The ICC has told the PCB that if it decides to go ahead with the hosting of the mega event on a Hybrid Model it would get its full hosting fees and majority of the matches,” PTI quoted a source as saying.