LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to receive the assurance from its Indian chapter regarding the exemption of the tax and issuance of the visas to all the participating countries for the T20 World Cup to be staged in India during October-November this year.
It may be mentioned here that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in February this year conveyed to the ICC that its team could participate in the World Cup only if the BCCI gave a written assurance on the issuance of visas and security to the Pakistan teams, as well as their fans and media personnel as the ties between the two neighbouring countries are not exemplary.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had set March 31, 2021 the deadline for the assurance, which has passed. The PCB in this regard had also warned if the BCCI did not give the assurance, the PCB would demand the ICC shift the mega event from India to the UAE.
“[The] Board received an update on the ongoing preparations around the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in India. This included an update from the BCCI on positive discussions with the Indian government around tax arrangements and visa guarantees. It is anticipated that both issues will be resolved over the next month,” an ICC press release issued after Thursday’s ICC Board and Committee meetings held virtually.
Last week, there was a media report that the BCCI had given the guarantee to the ICC about the issuance of visas to all the participating countries.
