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When Babar Azam And Shaheen Afridi Were Denied Visa Ahead Of World Cup 2023

Sakshi Sharma

image-lrrheyfkIndia and Pakistan Cricket Team (X.COM)

The rivalry between the Indian and Pakistan cricket teams is one of the most intense and historic rivalries in the world of cricket. This rivalry is not just limited to the cricket field it's beyond that. The rivalry continued when the Pakistan cricket team was struggling with the visa issue ahead of flying to India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

When Babar's Pakistan were denied visas for WC 2023

After cancelling their team bonding trip to Dubai, the Pakistan team was scheduled to fly to Dubai on September 27, morning and then to Hyderabad on the same day in the evening. However, despite with just less than 48 hours remaining, the Indian visa was not issued to the Pakistan side.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) raised the issue with the ICC and wrote about the same When PCB spokesperson Umar Farooq expressed his disappointment with how the matter has been handled related to the Visa 

"There has been an extraordinary delay in getting clearance and securing Indian visas for the Pakistan team for the ICC World Cup. We have written to ICC raising our concerns about inequitable treatment towards Pakistan and reminding them of these obligations towards the World Cup,".

image-lrrhfn2rBabar Azam And Shaheen Afridi (X.COM)

After much drama and wait, Babar Azam's Pakistan team was issued visas for the ICC World Cup in India. There was much drama and issues between the two cricket boards in the lead-up to the upcoming World Cup with a high-level committee comprising senior Pakistan government functionaries clearing the trip to India for the World Cup.

The confirmation from the ICC came after the PCB wrote over the visa delay besides claiming the anxious wait has adversely impacted the team's preparation for the 50-over showpiece.

A similar visa issue is also seen ahead of the India vs England test series. Uncapped player of England Shoaib Bashir flew back to England and was ruled out of the first Test against India starting on Thursday, January 25 in Hyderabad. After a visa delay that prevented England’s rookie spinner from travelling to the country with his new teammates.

Just 20 years old and on his first senior England tour, the Surrey‑born Bashir has become the latest cricketer of Pakistani heritage to be hit with a visa delay en route to India. Moeen Ali and Saqib Mahmood have had similar experiences in the past, as did Australia’s Usman Khawaja before his side’s test tour last year.