Indian blind cricket team denied permission to travel to Pakistan

The Indian government on Tuesday denied permission to the national blind cricket team to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns, reported PTI.

The Indian team was supposed to travel to Pakistan through the Wagah border on Wednesday to play the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held from November 23 to December 3.

The team had secured a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Indian Sports Ministry for participation but apparently could not avail of the clearance from the MEA.

"We have been told unofficially that the blind team will not be permitted to travel to Pakistan. We were scheduled to travel to Wagah border tomorrow. But as of now no clearance has come from the ministry officials. So, we are a bit disappointed," Shailendra Yadav, General Secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association (IBCA).

"They are saying when the mainstream cricket team is not safe how can you be safe there. Of course, we will accept the decision, but why hold the decision till the last minute, why not inform us a month or 25 days back. There is a process," Yadab added.