ICC T20 World Cup: Amid the cross-border politics and worsening relations between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has agreed to allow Pakistani cricketers and media to come to India for the ICC T20 World Cup in October. Informing the apex council members, the BCCI said that the touring cricketers and journalists from Pakistan will be issued Visa. However, there has not been a discussion on allowing the touring fans. A call on that issue will be taken later as the COVID-19 situation is still a matter of concern for all parties involved.
The news comes after the Board of Control for Cricket in India said that it had positive talks with the Indian government on allowing Visa for Pakistani players and journalists. It was after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ehsan Mani gave an ultimatum that BCCI should clarify the issues related to visa approval by March 31. Following that the ICC said that the issue will be resolved within a month.
“Since it is an ICC event, the government has approved the visa process for the players and the media. More discussions will take place over the next few months,” a BCCI official told Sportstar.
T20 World Cup: BCCI Apex Council asks 9 venues on standby: BCCI, in its 7th Apex Council meeting on Friday discussed the way forward for the upcoming T20 World Cup with an eye on the coronavirus situation in the country. Speaking to ANI, sources in the know of developments in the meeting said that the nine venues selected for the T20 World Cup have been asked to continue preparing for the showpiece event and a call can only be taken closer to the tournament.
“The nine venues have been informed and it was again discussed that preparations should continue for the showpiece event with an eye on the COVID-19 situation and a call will only be taken closer to the event. It is too early to imagine what can or will happen in October-November with regards to the coronavirus situation. But preparations shall be on,” the source told ANI.
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