Pakistan cricketers yet to receive visas for ODI World Cup 2023

Pakistan cricketers are yet to receive their visas to travel to India for the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is slated to begin on October 5. The Babar Azam-led side is slated to fly on the early morning of August 27 but the delay in visa might play a role in them arriving late for the mega tournament. They are slated to play against New Zealand in a warm-up game on September 29 and hence, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed their displeasure about the whole thing.

The Zaka Ashraf-led organisation are in constant touch with the International Cricket Council (ICC) at the moment in order to solve the situation. Interestingly, they are the only participating team to not receive the visa and hence, PCB has asked the global body to intervene and also demanded written guarantees from BCCI to prove whether visas would be provided to all participating nations.

“It’s a matter of disappointment that the Pakistan team has to go through this uncertainty ahead of the major tournament. We have been reminding [them] about their obligations from last three years and it has all come down to the last two days with our first warm game scheduled on September 29”, PCB has said in a statement.

Pakistan going through a bad patch of form

When it comes to their form, Pakistan need to get better ahead of the World Cup. In the recently concluded Asia Cup, the Babar Azam-led side suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of India and lost to Sri Lanka as well. Courtesy of which, the team finished at the bottom of the Super Four table.

Meanwhile, the team will miss Naseem Shah in the World Cup as Hasan Ali has replaced him in the World Cup squad. The youngster injured his shoulder during the Asia Cup and following which he failed to return to the team. He was exceptional in the continental tournament and hence, it’s a big blow for the national team. 

Hasan, on the other hand, will bring in experience. He has represented the national team in 60 ODI matches so far and has picked up 91 wickets in the process. Other than that, Pakistan have named the same squad as the Asia Cup.