Indian Blind Cricket Team likely to play all their World Cup matches in Dubai and not Pakistan

Indian Blind Cricket Team is all set for the ODI Cricket World Cup for the blind to be played in Pakistan and Dubai from January 7 to 21. The Men in Blue have been impregnable in the format as they are the defending champions of the tournaments having won the last edition of the tournament. But they are awaiting the permission of the Government of India to play in Pakistan. However, it has been cleared now that they will play all their games of the pinnacle event in Dubai if they aren’t permitted.

The political tension between India and Pakistan has affected the cricketing relations between the two countries. While the latter side is ready to play their arch-rivals the Indian Government has often shown its unwillingness to permit any cricket against them. Now it seems that even the blind cricket team will be deprived of playing in Pakistan where the World Cup is scheduled.

Team India set to defend the title

The Indian team practised for almost a month in Bengaluru ahead of the World Cup and are now the awaiting the permission of the Government. The president of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India and the World, GK Mahantesh, informed the reporters according to NDTV that the team is ready to face Pakistan in their own den but they need a No Objection certificate for the same. He also said that in case the permission is not granted they will play all their matches in Dubai.

Reportedly, the team will fly to Delhi on January 5 and if permitted by the highest authority of the country will enter Pakistan via the Wagah Border. Else they will go to Dubai with an aim to defend their title. The Indian team will be led by Arvind Kumar Reddy who looked confident after practising on bouncy, slow and also turning pitches leading into the tournament.

The former Indian wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani has been inspiring and guiding the team in the nets as he expressed the hope and confidence in the team to defend the title.