The next edition of the World T20 is scheduled to be held in India later this year between October-November. Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani has said that the players and the board are still waiting for the visa issues which were prevalent even during the last edition of the World Cup, also held in India. Bilateral ties between the two countries have been stopped ever since the 2008 terrorists attack in Mumbai. Both the rival teams now only play in ICC tournaments.
Pakistan and India last played a bilateral series in 2012 in India. India have regularly beaten their arch-rivals in ICC tournament as well.
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PCB Awaiting An Answer From BCCI On Visa Issues: Ehsan Mani
Mani said in an interview with Gulf News, “Well, the BCCI was supposed to come up with a clear confirmation by December 31. Let me make it very clear that we have got nothing against the event being held in India, but we have to be absolutely sure that our players, support staff, fans, and the media should get the necessary visas.”
Earlier, Mani had pressed for the relocation of the event and was earlier quoted as saying by the PTI, “There is a need to change the ‘Big Three’ mindset. We are not seeking written assurance for the visas of the national team only, but for the fans, officials and journalists as well.”
“We have told the ICC that India should give written assurances by the end of March so that we know where we stand or we will push for the relocation of the World Cup from India to UAE,” he further said.
For the unversed, the Men in Green were issued visas for the T20 World Cup, in 2016, which took place in India. However, the league stage match between India and Pakistan was shifted out of Dharamsala. It was eventually held at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata which saw the Men in Blue maintain their dominant record versus their neighbours.
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