PCB Urges ICC To Fast-track Visa Process For Pakistani Fans & Media For 2023 World Cup
Pakistan captain Babar Azam arriving in India for the World Cup 2023 (x.com)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to help accelerate the visa process of Pakistan fans and journalists willing to attend India for the 2023 World Cup.
The Pakistan team is set to launch their World Cup 2023 campaign with a match against the Netherlands on October 6. As the showpiece event draws near, several Pakistan journalists and fans are still waiting for an official response from the Indian High Commission regarding their visa applications.
PCB urges ICC to help out in Indian visa process
A PCB spokesperson recently confirmed that the cricket board had emailed the ICC to take prompt action on the Indian visa policy for Pakistan fans and journalists. While speaking with the Dawn, the spokesperson added:
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has again raised the matter of visas for the Pakistan fans and media with the ICC.”
Notably, the Pakistan cricket team has already commenced their World Cup 2023 preparations with a warm-up match against New Zealand at a time when a number of fans and journalists are still waiting to get their visa clearance.
It is worth noting that the Pakistan team management got their visas cleared just a day before their departure to India for the tournament. The PCB spokesperson stated:
“The PCB expects that the ICC and other relevant authorities will expedite the matter as there is a growing anxiety amongst Pakistan fans and journalists who wish to support and cover their team in the ICC CWC 2023.”
Regardless, the Pakistan team's opening World Cup 2023 fixture against the Netherlands on October 6 will be played out at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
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