KARACHI: Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association has welcomed the decision of India’s Sports Ministry to allow Pakistani sportspersons to participate in multilateral sports events being held in India, terming it a positive step towards promoting regional sporting ties through sports diplomacy.
Fawad Ijaz Khan, Chairman Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association, said: “This latest development follows a recent policy clarification by India’s Sports Ministry, under which Pakistani athletes and teams will be permitted to participate in multilateral international sporting events hosted in India, although bilateral sporting ties will remain suspended. According to international media reports, India has also announced that visa procedures for athletes and sports officials will be simplified in order to facilitate participation in global events hosted by the country.”
Fawad added: “The IMC Over-50s Cricket World Cup is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, India from 24th January to 7th February 2027 and 14 countries are expected to participate in this tournament. Following this development, we are hopeful that the Pakistan Over-50s team will be able to participate in the event. Pakistan will enter the tournament as the defending champions after winning the IMC Over-50s Cricket World Cup held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2025.”
Fawad recalled that the Pakistan Over-60s team was unable to participate in the IMC Over-60s Cricket World Cup 2024 held in Chennai due to the non-issuance of visas by Indian authorities. Pakistan had won the Over-60s World Cup 2022 in Brisbane, Australia, and were therefore unable to defend the title in Chennai.
Pakistan veterans cricket teams toured India in 2005 and 2007, while the Indian veterans team toured Pakistan in 2006. These series featured several former international cricketers from both nations. Legendary spinner Abdul Qadir captained Pakistan in two of the series, while former wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif led Pakistan in one series. For India, former captain Mohammad Azharuddin captained the team in all three series.
Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association will seek formal permission from the Government of Pakistan to participate in the IMC Over-50s Cricket World Cup 2027. “We are confident that the Pakistan Government will support the team’s participation, especially since Pakistan has consistently encouraged sporting ties and people-to-people engagement through sports, whereas restrictions have at times been imposed from the Indian side,” Fawad said. —Press release
