Why India Are Playing Blind World Cup Final in UAE, Not Pakistan

Cheer for the Men in Blue as India take on Pakistan at the Blind Cricket World Cup final on Saturday.

After a brilliant run in the tournament, India’s blind cricket team are set to take on Pakistan in the World Cup final on Saturday, 20 January. The teams will meet at the Sharjah Stadium in the UAE, after the men in blue failed to bag clearance to play the final in Lahore.

Making it through the pool stages unbeaten, India registered wins against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, after their opening match against Australia was abandoned due to rain. India then defeated Bangladesh by 7 wickets in the semi-final to set up a final against archrivals, Pakistan. While Pakistan are the official host of the tournament, India played these matches in UAE, which has been the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) second home since the 2009 attacks on the Sri Lankan team.

No Clearance for Lahore Final

In an exclusive conversation, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) General Secretary John David told The Quint on 15 January that owing to the current political tension between India and Pakistan, the board had written to the Ministry of External Affairs in October 2017, seeking permission for the Indian squad to travel to Lahore if they reach the final. At the time of the conversation, he said the team had not received a response.

If India reach the final, the team will need the government’s permission to travel to Lahore. CABI wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs in October 2017 regarding the permission, but have not got a response.

John David, CABI General Secretary

"In case the Indian team reach the final and are not given permission to travel to Lahore, the match will take place in UAE,” he had then said.

In fact, the schedule for the World Cup mentions that the final match would be hosted at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 21 January.

All Eyes on Other Men in Blue

They’ll be cheered on at the World Cup final, and the government might reward them when they return. But the fact remains that the ‘Other Men in Blue’ could do with more support from the authorities.

The Indian blind cricket team has fought all odds to become world-beaters. However, despite two T20 World Cups, one ODI World Cup and an Asia Cup, the Indian team are yet to receive any support either from their home board, the BCCI, or the government.

Besides, the fact that Pakistan too travelled to India for the T20 World Cup in 2017, a sports team fighting for a title for their nation should be given the best-possible opportunity by their country to defend their title.

(This story has been updated with details of the final clash.)

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