Pakistan Withdraws From The Upcoming World Cup In India
Pakistan will not participate in the 2027 Over-50s Cricket World Cup in India after the government declined permission for the team to travel. The decision means the defending champions will be unable to compete for another international title.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Hyderabad, India, from January 23 to February 7, 2027. Pakistan had been expected to return to the competition following its success in the previous edition.
Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association chairman Fawad Ejaz Khan confirmed the withdrawal, explaining that the association would respect the government's decision.
Pakistan enters the next edition as the reigning champion after winning the 2025 Over-50s Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka. The team defeated Sri Lanka in the final to secure the international title.
The upcoming tournament would have offered Pakistan another opportunity to demonstrate its strength in veterans' cricket and compete against teams from other countries. Instead, the defending champions will be absent from the competition.
The withdrawal is a setback for a team that earned its place at the top through its previous campaign.
According to Fawad Ejaz Khan, Indian veterans' cricket officials had assured Pakistan that visa arrangements would be made and high-level security provided during the tournament.
The Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association had sought formal permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior before proceeding with participation. However, Fawad said Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi informed the association that permission to travel would not be granted.
The association subsequently accepted the government's position and decided against sending the team.
Pakistan will not participate in the 2027 Over-50s Cricket World Cup in India after the government declined permission for the team to travel.
Pakistan will not participate in the 2027 Over-50s Cricket World Cup in India after the government declined permission for the team to travel. The decision means the defending champions will be unable to compete for another international title.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Hyderabad, India, from January 23 to February 7, 2027. Pakistan had been expected to return to the competition following its success in the previous edition.
Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association chairman Fawad Ejaz Khan confirmed the withdrawal, explaining that the association would respect the government's decision.
Pakistan enters the next edition as the reigning champion after winning the 2025 Over-50s Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka. The team defeated Sri Lanka in the final to secure the international title.
The upcoming tournament would have offered Pakistan another opportunity to demonstrate its strength in veterans' cricket and compete against teams from other countries. Instead, the defending champions will be absent from the competition.
The withdrawal is a setback for a team that earned its place at the top through its previous campaign.
According to Fawad Ejaz Khan, Indian veterans' cricket officials had assured Pakistan that visa arrangements would be made and high-level security provided during the tournament.
The Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association had sought formal permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior before proceeding with participation. However, Fawad said Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi informed the association that permission to travel would not be granted.
The association subsequently accepted the government's position and decided against sending the team.
