Even in cricket for the blind, India-Pakistan political bitterness prevails

The Indian team was supposed to take on Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on January 8 but after they were denied permission by the authorities, their opening game will be against Australia at the Ajman Oval Stadium in Dubai.

The political tension between India and Pakistan once again made its presence felt in the world of cricket as the Indian blind cricket team was denied permission by the government to travel to Pakistan in order to take part in the 2018 ODI World Cup. (SA v IND 1st Test Blog)

The Indian blind cricket team’s group stage matches will now take place in Dubai instead of Pakistan.(PTI)

The Indian team was supposed to take on Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on January 8 but after they were denied permission by the authorities, their opening game will be against Australia at the Ajman Oval Stadium in Dubai. The event will be held simultaneously in Pakistan and Dubai.

“Despite political tensions between the neighbouring countries in 2011, 2013 and 2014, the Indian team was allowed to travel to Pakistan for the tournaments. But, this time, the government has not given us the permission yet and we have not heard anything from them lately,” GK Mahantesh, president, Cricket Association for the Blind in India, said in New Delhi on Thursday.

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The Indian government’s actions have prompted Pakistan to change the itinerary of the tournament.

The Indian team will play all their group stage matches in Dubai and in case they make the final, the summit clash will be played in Sharjah instead of the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The political tensions have hampered cricket relations between the countries in the last few years and the situation worsened in 2009 when Sri Lanka’s team bus was attacked by militants in Lahore. However, India skipper Arvind Kumar Reddy said that he has no problems in travelling to Pakistan.

“As sportspersons, it is our duty to play against any opponent in any venue. We are not bothered by that and if permitted, we have no issues in playing in Pakistan,” Reddy said.

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According to reports from Karachi, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has expressed disappointment at the decision of the Indian government to not give clearance to the team.

“It is very disappointing because we had planned a showcase match of the World Cup in Lahore. Now we have been forced to relocate it to the UAE,” Asif Azeem, the media manager of PBCC, said.

“We had planned a grand opening ceremony in Lahore on the Jan 6 with Indian participation and opening match between the two countries but now we will have ceremonies in Ajman and Lahore on Sunday simultaneously,” he added.