India will play all of their league games of the 2018 Blind World Cup in UAE after the foreign ministry denied their visit to Pakistan.
India were slated to begin their title defence in a showpiece match against last World Cup’s runners-up Pakistan in Faisalabad on January 8. After this, they were to play four more league games – two in Pakistan, two in UAE.
Now the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has changed the schedule after the Indian government refused the team’s travel to the neighbouring nation. As per the new schedule, India will take on Australia in their first encounter on January 8 in Ajman. They will play rest of their league games – versus Sri Lanka (on Jan 10), Pakistan (on Jan 12), Bangladesh (on Jan 13) and Nepal (on Jan 14) – in the same city.
If they reach the final and the Indian ministry approves to play it in Pakistan, then, the title clash will be in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on January 21. In case of disapproval, the team will play the final in Sharjah on January 19.
“Despite numerous earnest efforts of Cricket Association of the Blind in India (CABI) and Pakistan Blind Cricket Council of getting clearance of Indian Blind Cricket team to tour Pakistan to play forthcoming World Cup matches .. is still held in abeyance by the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” chairman of PBCC, Sultan Shah told geo.tv.
“Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also providing their bullet-proof vehicles for the teams travelling,” Shah said.
