The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 is well underway, drawing cricket enthusiasts from around the globe. However, amidst the excitement and thrilling matches, there is a growing concern that has cast a shadow over the tournament—the delays in issuing visas to Pakistani cricket fans and journalists.
Zaka Ashraf, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has raised “serious concerns and alarm” regarding the prolonged delay in issuing visas to Pakistani cricket fans and journalists who intend to travel to India for the ICC World Cup 2023. These concerns have been simmering for a while, and the PCB has taken the step of formally writing to the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the matter. This marks the first public statement made by the PCB since the commencement of the tournament.
Pakistan’s cricket team has already played one match at the World Cup, facing off against the Netherlands in Hyderabad. Their second match is scheduled against Sri Lanka, taking place at the same venue. However, the most eagerly awaited clash against arch-rivals India is set for October 14 in Ahmedabad. Unfortunately, this high-profile match may witness a significant absence of Pakistani fans in the stands and journalists in the press box, a trend seen so far in the tournament.
Zaka Ashraf has taken proactive steps to address this issue. He met with Pakistan’s foreign secretary, Syrus Sajjad Qazi, to request intervention in resolving the visa delays. The PCB has expressed its deep disappointment over the uncertainty surrounding Indian visas for journalists and fans covering Pakistan’s matches at the ICC World Cup 2023. The PCB has also emphasized the obligations of the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in this matter.
“The PCB is extremely disappointed to see that journalists from Pakistan and fans are still facing uncertainty about obtaining an Indian visa to cover Pakistan games in ICC World Cup 2023,” a statement from the board said.
“The PCB has also taken serious notice of security threats being reported in Indian media and requested the government to evaluate players security in India. The well-being and safety of the Pakistan squad was of paramount importance.”
Amidst the visa delays, concerns have also arisen regarding the safety and security of the Pakistan squad during their stay in India. The PCB has been vigilant in monitoring reports of security threats in the Indian media and has requested the government to assess the safety of its players. The well-being and security of the Pakistan squad remain a top priority.
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The ICC, in collaboration with the BCCI, has been working towards securing visas for approximately 60 accredited Pakistani journalists covering the World Cup. However, there is still a lack of clarity regarding the number of Pakistani fans who will ultimately receive visas to attend the tournament.
Former PCB chairman and ICC president Ehsan Mani expressed disappointment in the handling of visa issues. Mani emphasized that hosting agreements for ICC events clearly stipulate that host countries should facilitate visas for teams, officials, journalists, and fans. He noted that both the ICC and the BCCI had given assurances that obtaining visas would not be a problem.
Mani stated, “Any country that hosts an ICC event signs up to a hosting agreement that clearly says the host country will facilitate the visas of the team, officials, journalists and fans. The ICC should have ensured before the event started that the visas were issued. Between 2019 and 2021, I mentioned in board meetings to both the BCCI and the ICC that visas should be facilitated. Both promised that this would be no problem. It is an ICC event, and they should have ensured all of this was resolved before the World Cup started.”
The Pakistan cricket team faced its share of visa-related challenges as well. Their visas for the tournament were issued just a day before their scheduled departure, forcing the cancellation of a pre-World Cup training camp in Dubai. Despite these hurdles, the team has been in Hyderabad since September 27, receiving a warm reception from fans upon their arrival.