In a recent development, the Pakistan cricket team’s visa was cleared to play in the World Cup in India, despite a delay in the process. This news comes as a relief to both the Pakistani team and their fans, who were anxiously awaiting the visa approval. The Pakistani team were scheduled to travel to the UAE for a few days for team-building and then to India two days before their World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand on September 29 in Hyderabad. However, those plans were not fulfilled due to delays in visas.

Pakistan’s problems regarding a delay in getting visas are the latest drama gripping the World Cup after the rescheduling of fixtures. The Pakistan cricket team finally got their visas on Monday after two days of delay as per PCB. Pakistan is the last team to travel to India, the PCB wrote to the ICC to ask for help.

In this blog, we will discuss the Chaos surrounding the BCCI, ICC and PCB. According to the letter sent by the home ministry to the BCCI, security clearance is required only if the participants come from PRC countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Foreigners of Pakistan origin and stateless persons. As we all know the tensions between these two countries, it is certain that the visa process of the Pakistan team will not be a ‘cake in the park ‘.

BCCI’s stance

As per the reports, BCCI has stated that there was no delay in the visa process as the Pakistan team has submitted the passport late due to the ongoing Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. Given the dynamics of India-Pakistan diplomatic relations, a 10-day process in a minimum time to get the visa clearance. Because India has a very rigid clearance system for PRC nationals, three ministries have to pass the clearance in order to apply for the visa, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. BCCI has also stated that this is not a new development, they have already informed the participating teams in the invitation letter which they had to send for the World Cup that getting all the permission and clearance is required for the PRC (prior referral category) countries. The BCCI has also stated there was no discrimination towards any party because all the participant countries have to follow the same procedure.

ICC’s stance

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the Indian government has approved the visas of the Pakistan team travelling to India on Monday evening. The confirmation comes after the Pakistan team asked the ICC to intervene in the delay of visa process. However, ICC has informed that there was no delay in the visa process as the Indian High Commission in Islamabad has completed the visa and the passport can be collected from the office of the High Commission.

PCB’s stance

PCB expressed their disappointment at the handling of visa clearance by the Indian officials and BCCI’s indifference in granting visas to all the teams except Pakistan. Pakistan claims that they were forced to change their travelling plan to Dubai because of the delay. In an official email sent by PCB to ICC, they have asked ICC to take necessary steps in order to resolve the issue. Further, the PCB also raised the question of breach of the hosting agreement of the World Cup by the BCCI for inability to provide visas on time. PCB had requested the BCCI to submit their visa application without the passports of players because of the ongoing Asia Cup held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, so the teams had to travel from Sri Lanka to Pakistan for their matches. However, the BCCI has rejected their request and asked the PCB to submit the application along with the passport.

Now the matter has been resolved and the Pakistan team has received their passport and will play the warm-up match against New Zealand as scheduled. BCCI has also stated that the match will be played without spectators due to the festival in Hyderabad on the match day. Those who have purchased the ticket will be given a full refund.