Pakistan Cricket Team Awaits India Visas Cricket World Cup Travel

The Pakistan cricket team, set to participate in the Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, is facing delays in obtaining visas for their scheduled travel, resulting in the cancellation of a team bonding trip to Dubai.

The team had originally planned to arrive in India on September 27, just two days before their first warm-up match against New Zealand in Hyderabad.

As per a report by India Today, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have revealed that the visa process is currently underway at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, but as of now, the visas have not been issued. Consequently, the two-day bonding exercise in Dubai, which was part of their pre-tournament preparations, has been called off.

The PCB has taken the matter up with the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the wait for visas continues. Pakistan's cricket team last visited India for the T20 World Cup in 2016, and due to tense relations between the two countries, they typically only face each other in Asia Cup and ICC tournaments.

"PCB had sent its officials to Islamabad for passport collection yesterday but the visas are still in process. That has forced the board to cancel the team bonding trip in Dubai. If the visas come through, the team will reach Hyderabad on September 27 via Dubai," India Today quoted sources as saying.

Another source emphasized that the visa issuance involves clearances from three Indian ministries: home, external affairs, and sports, which can be a time-consuming process but is expected to be completed.

A total of 33 members of the Pakistan contingent, including players, three traveling reserves, and team officials, are awaiting their visas.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the host of the tournament, has not yet provided a comment on the situation.Pakistan's second warm-up match is scheduled against Australia on October 3 in Hyderabad, followed by their opening World Cup matches against Netherlands and Sri Lanka on October 6 and 10, respectively, before a highly anticipated clash with India in Ahmedabad on October 14.

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