In an effort to resolve the visa issuance delay faced by Pakistani fans and journalists attending the ongoing ICC World Cup in India, PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf held discussions with Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed its disappointment regarding the uncertainty surrounding Indian visas for these individuals and urged the Foreign Secretary to engage with the Indian Home Ministry and Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to expedite the process.
The PCB underscored the persistent challenges faced by Pakistani journalists and fans in obtaining Indian visas, stating, "In the meantime, PCB has again reminded ICC and BCCI of their respective obligations and terms and conditions stipulated in the Host agreement to guarantee visas for fans and journalists of participating teams."
Organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the World Cup has attracted approximately 60 journalists eager to cover the event. Pakistan has already competed in their opening match against the Netherlands on October 6 and is set to face Sri Lanka on Tuesday (October 10). The highly anticipated Pakistan-India clash is scheduled for October 14 in Ahmedabad.
The visa applications for Pakistani journalists fall under India's prior reference category (PRC), requiring evaluation by the home, external affairs, and sports ministries. This has contributed to the delay in visa issuance.
Efforts are ongoing to ensure a swift resolution to the visa issue, allowing Pakistani fans and journalists to participate fully in this prestigious cricketing event.
Pakistan Full Fixture List World Cup 2023
| FIXTURE | DATE | VENUE |
| Pakistan vs Netherlands | October 6 | Hyderabad |
| Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | October 10 | Hyderabad |
| Pakistan vs India | October 14 | Ahmedabad |
| Pakistan vs Australia | October 20 | Bengaluru |
| Pakistan vs Afghanistan | October 23 | Chennai |
| Pakistan vs South Africa | October 27 | Chennai |
| Pakistan vs Bangladesh | October 31 | Kolkata |
| Pakistan vs New Zealand | November 4 | Bengaluru |
| Pakistan vs England | November 11 | Kolkata |
(With Inputs From PTI)