Cricket

India's participation in the Champions Trophy 2025 has sparked controversy, with the Indian cricket team expressing reluctance to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. Despite proposals for a hybrid model where India would play their matches in Dubai, Pakistan has rejected the idea.The impasse between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has cast doubt on the future of the competition. Legendary Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has warned that the absence of India could result in a significant financial loss of $100 million for the ICC and the host country.Akhtar emphasized the importance of India's participation, stating that it would not only boost sponsorship revenue but also create a positive atmosphere for the tournament. He urged both the PCB and the ICC to find a solution that accommodates India's concerns.Meanwhile, the Indian blind cricket team has been denied permission to travel to Pakistan for the T20 World Cup due to security concerns. The team had received a No Objection Certificate from the sports ministry but was unable to obtain clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs.The decision has disappointed the team, which had undergone a 25-day training camp in preparation for the tournament. The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) expressed frustration over the late notice, arguing that the team could have been spared the effort of selecting a squad if the decision had been made earlier.The Indian government's decision to deny permission to the blind cricket team highlights the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. The two countries have a history of political and military conflicts, which have impacted sporting relations.

The Indian blind cricket team's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Pakistan has been denied by the Indian government due to security concerns. The team was scheduled to cross the Wagah border on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, for the event, which is set to take place from November 23 to December 3.The Indian blind cricket team had received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the sports ministry for participation but was unable to obtain clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). According to Shailendra Yadav, General Secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association (IBCA), the team was unofficially informed that they would not be permitted to travel to Pakistan."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," Yadav said.Yadav expressed frustration over the late notice of the decision, stating that the team could have been informed earlier. "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," Yadav added.The Indian government's decision has drawn criticism from the blind cricket community. Former Indian blind cricket captain Ajay Reddy expressed his disappointment, saying that the team had been preparing for the World Cup for a long time. "We are very disappointed. We have been preparing for this World Cup for a long time. We had a good chance of winning the title. But now our dreams have been shattered," Reddy said.The Indian blind cricket team is one of the strongest in the world, having won the T20 World Cup twice in 2012 and 2017. The team was also the runner-up in the 2015 World Cup.The T20 World Cup for the Blind is an international cricket tournament for blind and visually impaired cricketers. The tournament is organized by the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) and is held every four years. The first T20 World Cup for the Blind was held in 2012 in India.

The Indian men's blind cricket team is eagerly awaiting clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to participate in the 4th T20 World Cup for the Blind, scheduled to take place in Pakistan from November 22 to December 3. The team has already received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, but official permission from the MEA is crucial for their participation.The decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to not send the Indian cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 has heightened tensions between the two countries. However, the Indian blind cricket team remains hopeful of receiving clearance to compete in the World Cup.India has a remarkable track record in the T20 World Cup for the Blind, having won the first three editions organized by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India and Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled. They defeated Pakistan twice and Bangladesh once in 2022.This year, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) will host the tournament. Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), expressed excitement about the prospect of facing Pakistan again. He emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for visually impaired cricketers and the team's determination to extend their winning streak.The Indian men's blind cricket team selected for the 4th T20 World Cup comprises 17 players from various states, categorized based on their level of visual impairment. The team includes experienced and talented players from across the country, united in their goal to compete at the highest level.The team's participation in the World Cup would not only be a testament to their skill and determination but also a symbol of the resilience and spirit of sportsmanship that transcends political boundaries. The Indian blind cricket team is eager to represent their country and make their mark on the international stage.