Xtra Time Web Desk: The Pakistan cricket team finally had their visa issues sorted ahead of their travel to India for upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The delay in the issuance of visas for the Pakistan cricket squad traveling to India for the World Cup has caused significant inconvenience and forced the team to alter their travel plans. The Indian government approved the visas less than 48 hours before the team was scheduled to fly out to Hyderabad via Dubai.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed its displeasure at the delay in visa issuance and had written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the issue. The delay had already led to the cancellation of the team’s pre-World Cup team bonding trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This cancellation was due to the passports of the players being with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad for visa processing.
The revised travel plan involves the Pakistan team flying out to Dubai in the early hours of Wednesday, September 27, transiting there, and then traveling to Hyderabad on the same day. Their first warm-up game is scheduled for Friday against New Zealand in Hyderabad.
The PCB had initiated the visa application process at the end of August after receiving an invitation letter from the ICC. Initially, they had tried to submit applications without physical passports but were informed that this was not possible. The final visa applications were submitted on September 19.
Overall, the delayed visa issuance has disrupted the Pakistan team’s preparations for the ICC World Cup and raised concerns about the equitable treatment of teams participating in international events.