The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied its 50-plus age group team permission to participate in the International Masters Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be held in India next January. This decision comes despite Pakistan having won the previous edition of the tournament in Sri Lanka last year.

The Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) was informed by the PCB that their team would not be allowed to travel to India. Fawad Ijaz, head of the PVCA, confirmed the withdrawal, stating, 'We have informed the organisers that we are withdrawing from the tournament. They can make alternative arrangements.'

Ijaz further elaborated that the PVCA had initially sought permission from the PCB, as well as the foreign and interior ministries, after receiving assurances from the organisers and host country regarding team visas and high-level security. However, he stated that Pakistan's Interior Minister and PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, conveyed that permission to play in India would not be granted.

This incident is not isolated, as the Pakistan Hockey Federation recently also declined to send its team to India for the Asian Champions Trophy, leading to Bangladesh's inclusion as a replacement. The recurring denial of sporting participation between the two nations highlights the ongoing complexities in cross-border relations, impacting even veteran athletes eager to compete on an international stage.

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