BCCI agrees to issue visas to Pakistan cricket team for T20 World Cup

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has got the approval for visas for the Pakistan cricket team as well as the touring media for the upcoming T20 World Cup that is scheduled to begin in India in October this year. It was announced at BCCI’s Apex Council meeting yesterday.

The BCCI has informed the apex council that the Indian government has agreed to issue visas to the Pakistan cricketers and the touring media for the T20 World Cup.

While the details are still being worked out, the apex council members were informed that the Board has received a nod from the government over the visas, even though a call on the fans will be taken by the ministry in due course. However, this wouldn’t yet break the deadlock between the Indian and Pakistan cricket boards.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani had earlier said that they are looking for visas for not just the players and the media but also for their fans. A failure on that count from the Indian board will push them into asking the International Cricket Council (ICC) to host the tournament in UAE.

India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket for close to a decade now due to diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Pakistan has been demanding assurances from the ICC that visas will be granted to its players for the 16-team extravaganza. With rising Covid-19 cases in India, it is unlikely a decision on fans will be taken any time soon by the ministry.