Pakistan cricket team awaits visas for World Cup in India
Delays in obtaining visas for the Pakistani cricket team threaten their participation in the upcoming World Cup in India. PCB seeks ICC intervention while India remains silent.
The participation of the Pakistan cricket team in the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India (5 October–19 November) is at risk after delays in securing visas. The setback has forced the squad to reconsider its preparations for the marquee tournament.
Pakistan squad still awaiting visas
Players and officials from the Pakistan team are yet to receive their visas to travel to India. The originally planned departure on 27 September remains unconfirmed, prompting the cancellation of a pre-tournament camp in Dubai.
According to sources within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), none of the 33-strong contingent—including players, reserves and officials—has secured a visa from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. The PCB has taken the issue to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
A situation unique among all participating teams
ESPN reports that Pakistan is the only one of the nine competing nations yet to receive visas for the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India. No official explanation for the delays has been provided by either the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)—which is hosting—or the Indian government. The two countries have remained in diplomatic standoff for decades.
The logjam has driven the PCB to consider moving Pakistan’s fixtures to a neutral venue such as Bangladesh. However, that option was ruled out in August 2023 after the Pakistani government approved the team’s participation in India.
Impact on World Cup preparations
Dubai camp scrapped: The delayed departures forced the cancellation of the Dubai training camp where squad bonding sessions were planned.
Preparation matches uncertain: Pakistan was due to face New Zealand on 29 September and Australia on 3 October in warm-up fixtures; it is now unclear whether these matches will go ahead.
Only two squad members have prior India experience
Just two current Pakistan players—Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Agha—have previously toured India to play competitive cricket. That fact underscores how critical it will be for the rest of the team to acclimatise quickly once on the ground.
Pakistan remain favourites despite logistical hurdles
Despite the administrative turmoil, Pakistan arrived in strong form. On 22 September they secured a decisive ODI victory over Australia, leapfrogging India in the world rankings.
With their recent triumph and the number-one ODI ranking now in hand, the Pakistan side could approach the World Cup with confidence—provided the visa hurdles are resolved in time.
Key fixtures if visas are secured
Assuming the visas are finalised in time, Pakistan’s scheduled Cricket World Cup fixtures in India are:
Netherlands – 6 October, Hyderabad
Sri Lanka – 10 October, Hyderabad
India – 14 October, Ahmedabad (a fixture widely anticipated to be a high-voltage encounter)
Swift and favourable resolution of the paperwork is now critical if Pakistan are to take a full part in the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India and mount a credible title challenge.
A specialist in regulatory monitoring and a content destination expert, she analyzes daily changes in entry formalities to turn complex administrative processes into practical guides. Her role blends ground-level expertise with technical precision to ensure the reliability of the information provided to travelers.
