New Delhi, 22 October 2026: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), once again showing the stubborn attitude of the country, has clearly refused to allow its Over-50s cricket team to participate in the 'International Masters Cricket World Cup' to be held in India in January next year. After this decision of PCB, Pakistan team has completely withdrawn from the international tournament. It is worth mentioning that this veterans team of Pakistan has been the defending champion of this tournament.
Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association was given full assurance by the Indian organizers and hosts that the Pakistani team would be given timely visas and strict and high level security would be provided in India. After receiving all these assurances, PVCA had sought permission from the Pakistan Government and the Cricket Board to tour India. However, Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association President Fawad Ijaz had announced on Wednesday that the PCBA has not given permission to the team to go to India. He had added that the tournament organizers had already been informed about Pakistan's withdrawal so that they could arrange for an alternative team.
Fawad Ijaze had made a big revelation by saying that Pakistan's Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Chairman of PCB, had made it clear that the Pakistani team cannot be allowed to play in India. Ultimately, the defending champion team had to withdraw from the tournament due to lack of approval from the board and the concerned ministries.
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Earlier the hockey team had also refused to come to India.
This is not the first time that a Pakistani sports team has refused to come to India. Earlier, Pakistan Hockey Federation had also refused to come to India to play in the 'Asian Champions Trophy', as a result of which Bangladesh team was included instead of Pakistan. Due to political tension and bitter relations between India and Pakistan, bilateral cricket series between the two countries has been stopped for a long time. Cricket teams of both the countries face each other only in multi-national competitions like ICC or Asia Cup.