Visa Denial For Pakistani Players Sparks New Tensions Ahead Of Champions Trophy

As the ICC Champions Trophy dispute continues between India and Pakistan, it appears to be impacting other sports as well. The Indian High Commission has now declined to issue visas for most Pakistani players set to compete in the Asia Cup Youth Scrabble Championship and Delhi Cup. Despite Pakistani players applying for visas two months prior, the process remained unresolved, and it is now confirmed that the players will not receive visas.

Tariq Pervez, Director of the Pakistan Scrabble Association (PSA), expressed his disappointment with the Indian government’s decision. Speaking to state-run APP, he noted that “half the team was denied visas without explanation, including players who had previously competed and triumphed in India just last year.”

Pervez added that Pakistan’s scrabble players, who had traveled to Lahore expecting visa approvals, will now return to Karachi empty-handed. He emphasized that Pakistan’s absence would be “a significant setback for the tournament,” especially as they are reigning World Youth Champions and defending Asian Youth titleholders.

Also Read: Pakistan May Pull Out of Champions Trophy, Consider Boycotting ICC Matches Against India: Report

This development further strains India-Pakistan sporting ties, already tense amid discussions about the Indian men’s cricket team’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy next year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of its decision not to send the team to Pakistan for the tournament.

While the PCB remains firm on hosting the Champions Trophy entirely at home, the Indian board has proposed a hybrid model for matches. The PCB, as the tournament host, has yet to make a final decision on this approach.