India Withdraws from T20 Blind World Cup Due to Government Clearance Issues

In a significant blow to the Indian Blind Cricket team, the governing body of the sport in India, the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), has announced that it will not be participating in the upcoming T20 Blind World Cup to be held in Pakistan from November 22 to December 3.

The decision was made after CABI received no clearance from the central government to participate in the tournament in Pakistan. The team had been training diligently and was eager to compete at the global stage, but prioritized the government's guidance over their desire to play.

"Durga Rao Tompaki, Captain of the Indian Men’s Cricket Team for the Blind expressed disappointment at missing out on the opportunity, stating 'We know that the next World Cup is just around the corner, and we remain committed to our training and preparation. However, it's time to nurture these talents and ensure that our team is ready when the next tournament comes'."

The withdrawal from the T20 Blind World Cup comes at a time of uncertainty in international cricket, following India's recent refusal to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in February. The Indian government had also denied permission to send the team across the border for the tournament.

With only three months to go before the start of the eight-team Champions Trophy, fears are growing that the tournament will be shrouded in uncertainty, with no dates or schedule have been announced yet.