Pakistan Over-50s Team Denied Participation in International Masters Cricket World Cup

Pakistan Cricket Board Rejects Over-50s Team Request

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has turned down a request from the over-50s cricket team to take part in the upcoming International Masters Cricket World Cup, which is set to take place in India next January.

Despite having won the previous tournament held in Sri Lanka last year, the PCB has communicated to the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) that they will not be allowed to travel to India for the event.

Fawad Ijaz, the head of the PVCA, stated on Wednesday, "We have notified the organizers of our withdrawal from the World Cup, allowing them to find a replacement team."

Ijaz mentioned that the event organizers and the host country had promised to provide visas and ensure high-level security for the PVCA team, prompting them to seek approval from the PCB and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior.

He further disclosed that Pakistan's interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi, who also oversees the PCB, conveyed that participation in India was not permitted.

In a similar vein, the Pakistan Hockey Federation recently declined to send a team to India for the Asian Champions Trophy, leading to Bangladesh stepping in as a replacement.

Due to ongoing tensions, cricket matches between Pakistan and India are typically limited to multi-nation tournaments and neutral venues.