India pulls out of blind T20 World Cup scheduled in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Indian cricket team has pulled out of the upcoming Blind T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by Pakistan from November 23 to December 3.

Indian Blind Cricket Association (IBCA) general secretary Shailendra Yadav confirmed the withdrawal, saying that the team did not get permission from the Ministry of External Affairs.

Although the team had obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Sports Ministry, they were waiting for the government’s response.

Yadav mentioned that the IBCA was informed verbally about the decision, a written response is yet to be received.

The decision comes soon after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian cricket team will not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has announced a 16-member national squad for the Blind Cricket World Cup.

The selection committee comprising Masood Jan, Muhammad Jameel and Tahir Mahmood Butt finalized the squad with the approval of PBCC Chairman Syed Sultan Shah.

Nisar Ali will captain the national team, with Badar Munir as vice-captain. The squad includes players from three categories:

B1 category: Zafar Iqbal, Muhammad Idrees Saleem, Muhammad Shahzaib, Fakhar Abbas, Muhammad Asif, and Muhammad Salman.

B2 category: Babar Ali, Nematullah, and Haroon Khan.

B3 category: Muhammad Safdar, Kamran Akhtar, Akmal Hayat Nasir, Talha Iqbal, and Matiullah.

Reserve players are Muhammad Ayaz, Moeen Aslam, and Muhammad Rashid.