Pakistan’s journey to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India has been hit by a visa delay, causing disruption to the team’s preparations for the tournament, which is set to commence in just 10 days.
Originally, the squad and officials had planned to depart for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last week for a two-day team bonding session in Dubai, followed by their onward journey to India, where they are scheduled to face the Netherlands in their first match on October 6. However, the delay in receiving visas for the contingent has thrown their plans into disarray, once again highlighting the long-standing strained relations between the two neighboring countries.
A spokesperson from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated, “We had planned to spend two days in Dubai [on September 25 and 26] before flying to Hyderabad, India, for the team’s pre-tournament warm-up matches. However, we had to cancel the team bonding session due to a delay in receiving our visas from India.”
The team’s new departure date for the southern Indian city of Hyderabad is now set for September 27, provided the visas are issued in time. The spokesperson added, “We will fly to Hyderabad via Dubai in the early hours of Wednesday, but this is, again, subject to the arrival of visas.”
The historical animosity between the two nations, rooted in their post-independence rivalry dating back to 1947, has led to three wars and strict restrictions on cross-border movements. Direct flights between India and Pakistan have been suspended for over four years, stemming from a diplomatic dispute triggered by New Delhi’s revocation of the special status of Indian-administered Kashmir.
Pakistan’s cricket team last visited India in 2016 for the T20 Cricket World Cup, while India hasn’t sent its cricket team to Pakistan since 2006. The last bilateral series between the two teams took place in 2012.
Al Jazeera reached out to the Foreigners Division of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, responsible for issuing visas to foreign travelers, but has not yet received a response.
Pakistan’s pre-tournament schedule includes two warm-up matches, with the first slated for September 29 in Hyderabad. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is scheduled to kick off in Ahmedabad on October 5.