ODI World Cup 2023: PCB writes to ICC to accelerate media and fan visa application procedure

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently wrote to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and requested the officials to intervene in order to expedite the visa process for fans and media personnel who are willing to travel to India for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023. The spokesperson of the board has already confirmed the development. In the same vein, the official stated that they have sent an e-mail to ICC to take prompt action as the tournament is set to commence on October 5.

Notably, the policies for visa application are still under the shadow as the warm-up games ahead of the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 are already in full swing. Speaking of the mega event, Pakistan will be playing their first game on October 6 against the Netherlands. The venue for their opening game will be the same as the first warm-up game in the form of Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, in Hyderabad.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board has again raised the matter of visas for the Pakistan fans and media with the ICC. In an email, the PCB has moved the ICC to take prompt action on the visa policy so the media and fans can apply for the Indian visas in a timely manner and can cover and cheer, respectively, the touring side,” a PCB spokesperson told Dawn.

“It is alarming that the media and fans are yet to be informed about the visa policy, as Pakistan have already played their first of the two warm-ups and will play their first World Cup contest in six days. The PCB expects that the ICC and other relevant authorities will expedite the matter as there is a growing anxiety amongst Pakistan fans and journalists who wish to support and cover their team in the ICC CWC 2023,” the spokesperson added.

Fans are anxious regarding the visa process time frame, Request ICC-PCB to intervene

Meanwhile, as per reports, the Indian High Commission in Pakistan is yet to provide clarity on how to go about the visa process. However, things are looking very tricky at the moment as the visa process normally takes close to 90 days. On the other hand, a lot of YouTubers and fans have already requested PCB and ICC to interfere in the matter and have a word with the Indian government in order to receive the green signal about the entire process.