The Pakistan blind cricket team’s application for a visa to participate in the Blind Cricket World Cup in India has been turned down. The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) claimed in a statement on Tuesday that the team was unable to obtain permission from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

“This unfortunate incident has left the Pakistan blind cricket team in the lurch. It was highly likely that Pakistan and India would have locked horns in the final of ongoing World Cup and considering the current form of Green Shirts, Pakistan had high chances to win the World Cup,”

the PBCC said in a statement. 

The tournament is scheduled in India from December 5-17.

“it 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 PBCC said.

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“This discriminating act will have serious consequences 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.”

Pakistan finished second in the last T20 World Cup for the Blind.

The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) confirmed the development and stated that, given that the Pakistan team will not be participating, it will release an updated tournament schedule.

“Pakistan blind cricket team will not be able to participate in the ongoing third T20 World Cup for the Blind being held in India despite CABI taking all the required steps to process their visa application,”

a statement from CABI said. India, Bangladesh, Australia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and South Africa are left in the 12-day event.

Matches will be played in Faridabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Indore and Bengaluru where the final will be held.