India Delays Approval for Blind Team’s T20 WC

Following India’s reported decision not to send its men’s cricket team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, uncertainty also looms over the participation of India’s blind cricket team in the upcoming T20 Blind World Cup in Pakistan. Although India’s blind team received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the sports ministry, final approvals from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) are still pending.

The fourth Blind T20 World Cup is set to take place from November 23 to December 3, with matches in Lahore and Multan. Shailendra Yadav, General Secretary of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), shared that they have been awaiting the government’s decision for two weeks. “We need a clear answer from the government,” Yadav said, adding that they would respect the government’s decision either way.

India’s blind team last played in Pakistan in 2014. In 2018, however, their government denied them clearance to tour Pakistan, and similarly, Pakistan’s team did not participate when India hosted the tournament in 2023.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has stated that the tournament will continue as scheduled, regardless of India’s participation. PBCC Chairman Syed Sultan Shah expressed disappointment with the delay, mentioning that Pakistan has issued visas to India’s blind team, and all other teams have confirmed their attendance. “If one team doesn’t show up, it won’t affect our preparations,” Shah added.

This development aligns with recent reports indicating that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has notified the ICC that the men’s national team will not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, following the Indian government’s directives.