PCB lodges formal protest with ICC over delay in journalists' visas for CWC 2023
Oct 17, 2023
Islamabad [Pakistan], October 17 : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) alleging delays in visas for Pakistan journalists, absence of visa policy for fans and '"inappropriate conduct" targeted at its team during the World Cup match against India in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
PCB took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the news.
"The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lodged another formal protest with the ICC over delays in visas for Pakistani journalists and the absence of a visa policy for Pakistan fans for the ongoing World Cup 2023. The PCB has also filed a complaint regarding inappropriate conduct targeted at the Pakistan squad during the India vs Pakistan match held on 14 October 2023," tweeted PCB.
https://twitter.com/TheRealPCBMedia/status/1714290162677801100
Earlier, a statement by the board as quoted by ESPNCricinfo had said on the matter of visas, "The PCB is extremely disappointed to see that journalists from Pakistan and fans are still facing uncertainty about obtaining an Indian visa to cover Pakistan games in ICC World Cup 2023. In the meantime, PCB has again reminded ICC and BCCI of their respective obligations."
PCB boss Zaka Ashraf had also met Pakistan foreign secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi and requested him to take the matter with the Indian Home Ministry.
Also, Pakistan has alleged that its team's visas were issued a day before they were scheduled to fly out and they missed out on a pre-WC training camp in Dubai.
Pakistan and Australia will lock horns in their Cricket World Cup match in Bengaluru on Friday.
While Pakistan has won two games and lost one, Australia just opened their win tally against Sri Lanka, previously losing to India and South Africa. Pakistan lost their previous match against arch-rivals India as well.
