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India has turned down the visas of the Pakistan blind cricket team for the ongoing T20 World Cup on “political grounds”, it emerged on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) said India had denied the team the visas for the tournament which is taking place in the neighbouring country from Dec 5 to 17.
“This unfortunate incident has left the Pakistan blind cricket team in the lurch,” the council said, pointing out that the country had been runners-up in 2012 and 2017.
The statement comes days after the Indian Express reported that the Pakistani team would soon be issued visas in order to participate in the competition. The report quoted Cricket Association for the Blind in India President Mahantesh GK as saying the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was working in this regard.
The official also expressed confidence that the team would receive their visas. According to the report, the two teams’ clash was scheduled for December 7 (tomorrow).
In the statement issued today, the PBCC highlighted that Pakistan had beaten current T20 world champion India five times consecutively during two tri-nation competitions in 2021 and 2022, winning both the events.
“It was highly likely that Pakistan and India would have locked horns in the final of [the] ongoing World Cup and considering the current form of [the] Green Shirts, Pakistan had high chances to win the World Cup,” the statement said.
The PBCC went on to say that as per the information available, the Indian MEA had denied the players clearance on “political grounds”.
“The PBCC strongly [condemns] this discriminating act of India as sports should be above regional politics […] Our counterpart Blind Cricket Association in India pleaded [with] their government for Pakistan’s clearance but nothing was heard.”
The statement added that the Indian government’s “hatred” of Pakistan had also violated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“This discriminating act will have serious consequence[s] on global blind cricket as we at World Blind Cricket will take stern action against them and may not allow India to host future International events,” the statement said.
The Foreign Office also weighed in on the matter, saying Pakistan “deeply regrets” the no-issuance.
“As a result of the Indian decision, Pakistani players would be deprived of the opportunity to participate in an international sporting event of special significance.
“This reflects India’s insensitivity towards the promotion of sports meant for differently-abled persons,” the FO press release reads.
The FO said that sports events should not be politicised and Pakistan’s “disappointment” was conveyed to the Indian side.
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On DawnNews
Comments (136) Closed
Dec 06, 2022 04:44pm
Pathetic country with insecure leadership
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Dec 06, 2022 04:44pm
India has turned down the visas of the Pakistan blind cricket team for the ongoing T20 World Cup on “political grounds”, it emerged on Tuesday.
What a 'sick' country, not even sparing the blind cricketers, for whom it is a event of a life time. Pakistan should take it up internationally and demand no international tournaments are held in India.
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Dec 06, 2022 04:46pm
This is just sick! India should be banned from international sports altogether. The athletes personify the values of excellence, solidarity and peace. They express this inclusiveness and mutual respect also by being politically neutral on the field of play and during the ceremonies. It is shameful that India continues to politicise every sport.
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Dec 06, 2022 04:47pm
When Indian movies are banned in Pakistan, why should sports happen between the two ?.
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Dec 06, 2022 04:48pm
Give India some fantastic tea?
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Dec 06, 2022 04:49pm
Rameez Raja should be happy. He was saying Pakistan cricket team would not visit India and India is just obliging.
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Dec 06, 2022 04:52pm
Someday India will not even be able to apologize to its own people. A pathetic country full of hopeless decision makers.
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Dec 06, 2022 04:54pm
Pak blind team can beat the Indian national team now, that's how bad they are. Can't even beat Bangladesh, pathetic.
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Dec 06, 2022 04:54pm
Shame on India!!!
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Dec 06, 2022 04:55pm
Even blinds?
Small minds and small hearts!
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Dec 06, 2022 04:55pm
Shame on India!!!!
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Dec 06, 2022 05:17pm
India have become blind in determining that as who have 6x6 eyes and who is blind.
If India is so much terrorised with Pakistan's blind cricket team, one can imagine how much India is terrorised by Pakistan's cricket team who have both eyes and on every alternate ball of Indian ballers, Pakistan's batsmen hit ball out of the boundary in order to add six runs to its total.
It's coward India who talks from across the border, but have no courage to give visas to blind cricket team of Pakistan.
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Dec 06, 2022 05:17pm
also violated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons. So what rights have been violated in Balochistan’s missing persons.
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Dec 06, 2022 05:20pm
Pay them in the same coin when the opportune moment comes.
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Dec 06, 2022 05:27pm
So-called democratic country...
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Dec 06, 2022 05:39pm
It is very unfortunate. Sports and politics must be kept separate by mankind.
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Dec 06, 2022 05:42pm
Just be patient yar.
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Dec 06, 2022 05:46pm
Shame on India!!!!
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Dec 06, 2022 05:48pm
There will be a peace and sanity will prevail when Pakistan cease to exist or India breaks up further
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Dec 06, 2022 05:48pm
Pakistan Blind Team should follow the Orders of Pakistan Government not to have Any Links with India till India reverses the abrogation of Article 370? Shouldn't everyone respect and follow the Decisions of its Government?
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Dec 06, 2022 05:55pm
Shame!!!
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Dec 06, 2022 05:55pm
Shameee!!
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Dec 06, 2022 05:56pm
What a pathetic country who makes blind players political. Shame on them.
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Dec 06, 2022 05:57pm
As India grows stronger, expect lot more such denials in the future. The nation is in a position of power.
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Dec 06, 2022 05:59pm
When cultural things like Indian shows and movies were banned by Pakistan, why do we want to have sports relations with them ?. Ban should be on everything.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:00pm
What else could be expected of racist, bigot, wicked, liar, crooked and biased Modi and his fascist, cunning, cruel, corrupt, crafty, crazy and criminal R.S.S. and BJP cronies, who have a narrow-minded discriminatory penchant by birth and brought up to mix sports with politics in pursuit of their darling Hindutva mission to eliminate, eradicate, decimate, liquidate, annihilate, obliterate and terminate all Indian minorities in general and the Muslim minority population of India in particular.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:02pm
There is not a lot to see in India. It is a poor, rabid and very polluted country.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:03pm
No fair - Sports is not to be politicized.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:05pm
Very hateful act by the Nazi BJP government
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Dec 06, 2022 06:08pm
It seems that because it is Pakistan, they have to do an in-depth, thorough background checking that is taking time. Akin to how they are pulled aside for body check at airports.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:14pm
Always playing the victim card.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:24pm
India seems to be suffering from an inferiority complex. Wonder why that is.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:25pm
A new low for BJP.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:36pm
Shameless India will stoop to any low.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:37pm
PCB should boycott India worldwide. Just refuse to play them until they separate politics from sport. Enough is enough.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:37pm
Pakistanis should stay away from India
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Dec 06, 2022 06:48pm
Indian bigotry has no bounds.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:50pm
Expect dumb Modi supporters appearing from everywhere to insult Pakistan's blind cricket team in this forum.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:50pm
stop sending our team to such Pathetic country.. no need to play with Pathetic Indians
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Dec 06, 2022 06:54pm
Why have any interactions with each other at all? India certainly doesn’t want it.
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Dec 06, 2022 06:59pm
@Constantine, what a joke
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Dec 06, 2022 06:59pm
You can only expect such low behavior from India
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Dec 06, 2022 07:00pm
@Zak, yes, please add it to your laundry list of things to "take up internationally". When will you realize that no one cares what you "take up"?
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Dec 06, 2022 07:03pm
India will suffer Karma and will also suffer humiliation like never before.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:04pm
pathetic
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Dec 06, 2022 07:05pm
England Australia pak srilanka Bangladesh need to stand up against India otherwise ban this. Bcci n make own federation that doesn't include India.. India is messed up country with racist n bigot ppl. Living in it
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Dec 06, 2022 07:05pm
Looks like the only issue haunting India is the Kashmir. India fears losing Kashmir if referendum occurs.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:07pm
What is the damn international cricket association saying?
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Dec 06, 2022 07:13pm
Pakistan watches Turkish TV shows and hence should play with Turkiye team. Indian TV is banned in Pakistan , so India can ban sports.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:14pm
Pakistan should send it's team to play with China, Turkiye, Malaysia instead.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:14pm
The Indian FM for all his big talk is just petty minded Indian.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:15pm
@Zak, When Indian movies are banned in Pakistan, why should sports happen between the two ?.
Dont compare handicapped human beings to rubbish indian movies. Under RSS, no humanity but ugly fascism.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:16pm
@Aam Aadmi, It is very unfortunate. Sports and politics must be kept separate by mankind.
India should be excluded for international tournaments.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:17pm
It is time to disengage completely with our back stabbers.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:17pm
Just when you think Indians have touched the lowest on morals bam they stoop even lower.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:18pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, So, how many muslims from india waiting to immigrate to pakistan? Any idea?
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Dec 06, 2022 07:29pm
This is a serious matter, should be dealt by ICC to punish Indian authorities. Otherwise, ban all sort of social and sports activities with them, absolutely no cricket at all level.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:34pm
It is PCB’s claim that they were denied visas due to political reasons. In reality, they did not even apply for visas in time. This is PCB covering its shoddiness.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:37pm
@Zak , good luck
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Dec 06, 2022 07:40pm
Dont expect any good from BJP india!
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Dec 06, 2022 07:41pm
PCB must file a case against racist, bigot, wicked, fascist, liar, corrupt, crooked, cunning, crafty, crazy, criminal and biased Modi's prejudiced regime in India for mixing sports with politics in the International Court of Sports Arbitration at Luzzaine, Switzerland.PCB has got a great opportunity to win this historic case and nip the evil of mixing sports with politics, once for all.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:51pm
Why does ICC even allow India to host an Int'l event if they can't issue visas? PCB should take up the matter with ICC.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:51pm
@Syed A. Mateen, Well said! Unfortunately this also tells about mutual dislike for each other among leadership.
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Dec 06, 2022 07:59pm
Political grounds should only be applied on politicians, MNAs, MPAs, and government officials, not to innocent bling cricket team, ordinary people, common people, The people of Pakistan like to see India and Indians and mingle, the Modi Administration should review its decision and allow the blind cricket team to visit, as well as ordinary people as easy Visa Regime. India may not issue visa to all Diplomatic Passport holders from Pakistan, that’s ok. The ordinary PP holders should be given.
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Dec 06, 2022 08:01pm
Small mindedness of Indian rulers
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Dec 06, 2022 08:04pm
Indians are so petty. I doubt there will ever be peace in this region due to the hate they have for Pakistan.
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Dec 06, 2022 08:05pm
@Constantine, enjoy your short lived happiness
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Dec 06, 2022 08:05pm
@Zak, Are Pakistani movies allowed to be screened in India?
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Dec 06, 2022 08:11pm
Pakistan will be isolated like a barren land
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Dec 06, 2022 08:25pm
If Pakistan denies visas to Indians, I don't think Indians will complain, because most Indians have no desire to visit Pakistan.
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Dec 06, 2022 08:33pm
@Zak , get your acts together before blaming your piece of land is mess in all spheres and because of some irresponsible people all have to suffer look within before blaming others
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Dec 06, 2022 08:36pm
@Syed(UK), that is how the sick country should be treated
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Dec 06, 2022 08:44pm
@A Khan, that is how you are treated around the world at airports
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Dec 06, 2022 08:49pm
It is a pathetic decision by sick Indian cricket board. Politics in sport is bad. These two must be kept separate. Denying visa to Pakistani blind cricket team will hurt India more than Pakistan in the long term.
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Dec 06, 2022 08:58pm
Absolutely condemnable
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Dec 06, 2022 09:06pm
Shame on blind Modi.
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Dec 06, 2022 09:38pm
@Abha Singh, do they have one?
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Dec 06, 2022 09:40pm
@Saleem, your cricket is surviving on Indian money.. on this issue though, you need to be patient to l ow the true picture. Never trust what comes from yiur authorities.
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Dec 06, 2022 09:42pm
Fact, PBCC applied for the visa only few days ago, while fully knowing, you have to apply for visa around 1-2 months in advance in both countries.
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Dec 06, 2022 09:43pm
@Constantine,
As India grows stronger, expect lot more such denials in the future. The nation is in a position of power.
Reply
Blind people. And India feels bigger and stronger denying blind people the chance to play.
Reverse the decision. Use common sense
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Dec 06, 2022 09:45pm
@Zak,
No one is blind in your family
This is why you do not understand
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Dec 06, 2022 10:01pm
And we kept their loser pilot without visa and safely returned him. What a pathetic country. When no country could go so low on inhumanity, India said hold my beer.
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Dec 06, 2022 10:14pm
Pakistanis should stay in Pakistan.
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Dec 06, 2022 10:23pm
Shameful act by India showing their true face again and again
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Dec 06, 2022 10:24pm
Petty minded Indians - bullying blind athletes - how low
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Dec 06, 2022 10:24pm
How low can you crawl?
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Dec 06, 2022 10:25pm
@Zak , frankly their country their rules.
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Dec 06, 2022 10:25pm
Petty action by a petty minded political part
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Dec 06, 2022 10:26pm
This is called a chip on the shoulder. Inferiority complex
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Dec 06, 2022 10:33pm
India is strong and sovereign with Good Leadership. 5th largest economy and soon will be 3rd largest. Stop complaining their country their rules
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Dec 06, 2022 11:00pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, It makes two to clap. Pakistan doesn’t allow MFN status despite India once allowed inpast. Pakistan should allow transit trade facilities to India, let India open up its Karachi Dy HC.
Let India facilitate easy visa for travelers from Karachi. The real hardships cases are there amongst divided families. Things could be gradually normalize.
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Dec 06, 2022 11:02pm
@Zak ,
Why. Just cut off sport’s relationships until things get better
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Dec 06, 2022 11:05pm
Why you want to send them to India , if regular team can’t go there then why blinds , every human life is precious
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Dec 06, 2022 11:25pm
How low can india go. We got a disgusting neighbour.
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Dec 06, 2022 11:25pm
@Dr.Arshad, keep on waiting, it will never happen.
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Dec 06, 2022 11:26pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, 100% wrong. Bring it on.
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Dec 06, 2022 11:29pm
@Saleem, go on then do it. PCB chairman has confessed that PCB is existing on the scraps that India is throwing at them. PCB will cease to exist.
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Dec 06, 2022 11:30pm
what a hate filled nation.
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Dec 06, 2022 11:30pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, bring it on.
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Dec 06, 2022 11:31pm
@NACParis, pakistan makes movies. Actresses in hijab movies.
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Dec 06, 2022 11:38pm
Check your facts. Which pakistanis do not have a habit to do. India government has issued the visas to pakistani cricketers
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Dec 06, 2022 11:46pm
G20 leader does not allow beggars.
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Dec 06, 2022 11:50pm
@Saleem, "PCB should boycott India worldwide. Just refuse to play them until they separate politics from sport. Enough is enough."
If PCB does that then PCB will be bankrupt I very short time.
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Dec 06, 2022 11:51pm
Pakistani team boycotted the Chess olympiad held in India at the last minute. Wonder if this is quid-pro-quo from the Indian side. Just wish the event for the blind was not politicized like this. These are some really tenacious people who are fighting against all odds in life. They need to be supported at all costs regardless of their nationality.
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Dec 07, 2022 12:02am
@Babban, don’t compare India with Pakistan. We have lots of faults in Pakistan but we are a generous and big hearted people know for our hospitality. Ask any Yathri. We compete on being hospitable and generous - all ethnic groups and and provinces in Pakistan. Dil wallay!!
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Dec 07, 2022 12:02am
Check the updates, visa are approved
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Dec 07, 2022 12:04am
@Atif Khan, first arrange roti for self.
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Dec 07, 2022 12:05am
@Zak, good grief. We definitely aren’t like Indians when it comes to generosity and big hearts.
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Dec 07, 2022 12:35am
Well done India.
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Dec 07, 2022 12:44am
@Zak , Blind T20 World Cup 2022: Home Ministry gives visa clearance to Pakistan cricket team
Please don’t spread false rumors
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Dec 07, 2022 12:57am
@Zak , why do you want to send your team to what you call a 'sick country " ?????
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Dec 07, 2022 12:57am
@Syed(UK), if it's so sick then why send your team to us?
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Dec 07, 2022 01:00am
@Shahbaz Ahmed Tarar, yes indeed. We are democratic. And pay our way. We don't live on loans
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Dec 07, 2022 01:01am
@Mudasar S, sure. Who has invited you?
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Dec 07, 2022 01:06am
@Muhib E Watan, yes go to ICC and see what happens
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Dec 07, 2022 01:19am
Visa has been cleared. Good news. Thanks to Dawn power!
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Dec 07, 2022 01:39am
You were saying about Indonesia sex ban - "their country, their rules." Doesn't it apply here?
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Dec 07, 2022 01:45am
India can never be impartial to outsiders as long as they have partiality for their insiders. They have to do away with their caste system. They not only treat their own people with racism, let alone Muslims or outsiders.
Too bad. this is happening in the 21st Century.
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Dec 07, 2022 01:59am
Somebody just want to score some points by crying. Visa was issued
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Dec 07, 2022 03:26am
@Shahzad, because BCCI provides 80% of world revenue. ICC and even Pakistan benefit from that revenue as does all boards. Putting it simply BCCI is the cash cow.
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Dec 07, 2022 03:28am
@Saleem, please do don't just talk.
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Dec 07, 2022 03:40am
They are scared of blind pakistani cricketers now
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Dec 07, 2022 03:46am
I am an Indian.. if this was indeed the case, then shame on India (to say the least)!!
Having lived abroad, Pakistanis are the closest people to us in all ways and therefore we should have brotherly relations with them and not always bringing religion and politics in the middle!!
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Dec 07, 2022 04:10am
When there is No Trade between two nation decided by Late PM Khan & followed by Presnt leaders now then why should they visit each other country for any sports ? It is so simple reason. Question of Nerrow mind does not arise !!!
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Dec 07, 2022 04:47am
Pakistan should not go to any events in India while these people are in charge.
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Dec 07, 2022 04:48am
Very saddening day for sports
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Dec 07, 2022 04:58am
Losers are tired of losing to green shirts so it was logical they would resort to underhand tactics to stop them winning by stopping their visas from being issued by using political excuses.
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Dec 07, 2022 05:04am
Good move.
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Dec 07, 2022 05:07am
You need to give certificate of their blindness and not by Pakistani doctor!
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Dec 07, 2022 05:08am
Are they really blind?
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Dec 07, 2022 05:14am
@Zak, the event is a world cup, and not just India Pakistan 1:1.
I am surprised how the international cricket board let this go through?
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Dec 07, 2022 05:15am
@TimeToMovveOn, tell India that.
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Dec 07, 2022 05:56am
India is say.'stay in your own country and fix your religious fundamentalist problems.'
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Dec 07, 2022 06:50am
@Shahzad, who is PCB ??!! Beggars don’t have any say
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Dec 07, 2022 07:59am
So predictable! I do not understand why cricket events are hosted there. There are other venues, in other parts of the world.
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Dec 07, 2022 08:00am
If people, instead of governments and the army were responsible for interaction, I promise you one thing, we will be visiting each others country, there would be no war, and we would all get along. If you have any doubts, Just look at Kartarpur, and listen to everyone, on both sides.
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