With concerns mounting over visa delays for Pakistani media personnel and fans planning to attend the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken the matter up with the global cricket governing body, according to insider sources.
The issue began when India issued visas to Pakistan’s cricket squad, making them the last team to receive visas. The PCB had already raised the matter with the ICC earlier in the week, citing the host country’s failure to issue visas to the national squad.
Insiders familiar with the situation revealed on Saturday that Indian authorities were inexplicably delaying visas for Pakistani cricket fans and media personnel who intend to participate in the mega event, scheduled for October 5 in India.
In an email communication, the PCB has called on the ICC to urgently address the visa policy issue so that media and fans can apply for Indian visas in a timely manner, enabling them to cover and support the touring side, the sources within the PCB added.
The sources expressed alarm that the media and fans have not yet been informed about the visa policy, considering that Pakistan has already played their first of two warm-up matches and is set to play their first fixture of the tournament against the Netherlands in a matter of days.
The PCB anticipates that the ICC and other relevant authorities will expedite the matter, as there is growing anxiety among Pakistani fans and journalists who are eager to support and cover their team in the World Cup.
Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani emphasized earlier in the week that India cannot deny visas to Pakistani cricket fans, as the ICC rules bind host countries to accommodate such requests.
“Providing visas to fans is mandatory as per ICC rules,” stated the foreign minister during a press conference in Islamabad. He added that Pakistani fans must be granted Indian visas, and the PCB will take up the matter with the ICC.
Pakistan is scheduled to face India on October 15 in the mega event in Ahmedabad. The Green Shirts’ first two matches in the tournament are against qualifiers on October 6 and 12, respectively.
