The Pakistan Cricket Board has expressed concerns to the International Cricket Council over a delay in the issuing of its visas for next month's World Cup in India and “inequitable treatment”.
Pakistan is scheduled to leave for Hyderabad, via Dubai, in the early hours of Wednesday but the PCB has yet to receive the visas.
“It’s a matter of disappointment the Pakistan team has to go through this uncertainty ahead of the major tournament,” PCB spokesperson Umar Farooq said in a statement.
“There has been an extraordinary delay in getting clearance and securing Indian visas… we have written to the ICC raising our concerns about inequitable treatment towards Pakistan and reminding them of these obligations towards the World Cup.”
A 33-member contingent, containing 18 players and a 15-member support staff, is due to travel to India.
Farooq said Pakistan had reminded the ICC governing body for three years about its obligations but it “has all come down to the last two days”.
He also said Pakistan was forced to cancel its original plan to organise a team-building exercise in Dubai on the way to India.
“We had to rework our plan and book new flights, but these plans are subject to the issuance of visas,” Farooq said.
Pakistan is due to play New Zealand in Hyderabad on Friday before taking on Australia in another warm-up on October 3.
They launch their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6.
-
Pakistan captain Imran Khan celebrates 1992 World Cup win over England in Melbourne. Allsport -
Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis appeals for the wicket of Graham Thorpe of England during the 1996 World Cup in Karachi. Getty -
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had a brilliant 1999 World Cup in England. AFP -
Pakistan’s Wasim Akram, left, celebrates the wicket of Marcus Trescothick during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. Getty -
Ireland completed a shock win over Pakistan during the ill-fated 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean. AFP -
Shahid Afridi, left, directs Umar Gul during Pakistan's 2011 World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Getty -
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, left, with Shahid Afridi at the 2015 World Cup in Australia. AP -
Pakistan and India players walk back to the pavilion during a rain delay in their 2019 World Cup match in Manchester. AFP -
Pakistan 2023 ODI World Cup jersey. Photo: PCB / Twitter
