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Pakistan Cricket Team (File Photo, Twitter)
The ODI World Cup 2023, in India has been kicked off almost four days back and there is still uncertainty over the participation of the Pakistan journalists in the pre- and post-match press conferences during the tournament. The visa policies are still not cleared for the Pakistan media professionals to travel to India to cover the prestigious cricket quadrennial.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has expressed disappointment over this issue in a letter to cricket’s governing body. The media reports have learned that the PCB is also angry over the visa issues resulting in the non-travelling of Pakistan journalists to India for the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023.
"Pakistani journalists and fans are expressing deep concern." - Pakistan Cricket Board
“PCB is disappointed to see that Pakistani journalists and fans are facing uncertainty about obtaining an Indian visa to cover Pakistan’s opening game in the ICC World Cup. Pakistani journalists and fans are expressing deep concern and it’s putting us under immense pressure,” reads the letter from PCB to cricket’s governing body.
Subsequently, the spokesperson of the international governing body of cricket. also spoke on the same concern while replying to the concern raised by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“We understand the significant role that journalists and passionate fans play in enhancing the spirit and atmosphere of sports events. This is an obligation of our host and they are working hard on it with our full support. Every effort is being made to get this sorted,” said the governing body’s spokesperson.
Furthermore, the governing body also came up with a solution for the Pakistan journalists who have yet to travel to India for the coverage of the tournament.
“In addition to taking questions from the media present, the Pakistan representative at the media conference will also answer a few questions sent in by members of the Pakistan media who are still to travel for the event,” reads an official media release from cricket’s governing body.
Here’s how fans reacted to PCB’s stance over the visa issues for Pakistan journalists:
Hum host hai hum ko nahi dena visa hum nahi denge...
— Tasneem Hanif 🇮🇳 (@TasneemKhatai) October 9, 2023
Itni hi dignity aur self respect hai to bulalo apni team wapis..
Baki we are so concern about our safety.. we don't want another 26/11.
Team ko aane diya wahi bht samjho 😁😁😁
— Saumya Tripathi (@SanskariSaumyat) October 9, 2023
Who listens to PCB 😅
— Ganesh Maurya (@ganeshmauryaa) October 9, 2023
Ye toh hona hi tha.
— Anmol Juneja (@anmoljuneja1994) October 9, 2023
Team aa gayi itna kaafi nahi hai?
Ek to becharo k fans ko nhi aane diya... journalist ko to aane dena tha...
— Bolo Yaarrrr (@ShaRo45264) October 9, 2023
वैसे भी पाकिस्तानी कभी भी इंडिया से खुश नहीं हो सकते। और दुखी होकर कुछ बिगाड़ भी नही सकते। कोई बात नहीं।
— Ankit Verma (@TechyWicket) October 9, 2023
India should provide visas to Pakistani journalists
— Hitesh Maheshwari 🇵🇰 (@hiiteshkumar20) October 9, 2023
Dusman mulk ake kya karoge bhai
— starx (@SuvrajitDutta8) October 9, 2023
Wo journalist cricket kum kashmir Kashmir jada karte hai 😀 so no visa
— rahul (@vedicrahul) October 9, 2023