Obtaining their visas to cover the eagerly anticipated India-Pakistan World Cup match scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad on October 14 is a long-awaited victory for Pakistani media. This development represents a significant turning point in the media coverage of the historic match between the two cricketing behemoths.
The Pakistani media had been excitedly expecting approval to travel to India for the World Cup, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been actively working to get visas for them. After the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed its dissatisfaction with the delays in the visa clearance for Pakistani supporters and media workers, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had stated that the BCCI had been proactive in addressing this issue.
60 Pakistani journalists are anticipated to travel to India for the World Cup, according to a RevSportz article.
Notably, despite Pakistan receiving strong local support for their World Cup opening against the Netherlands in Hyderabad, neither Pakistan fans nor members of the media contingent attended the match.
Over the past three years, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has repeatedly reminded the ICC of their obligations and the members’ commitment to facilitate the issuing of visas for spectators and journalists. They have repeatedly expressed their concerns to the appropriate authorities over the uncertainty that Pakistani media and supporters experience surrounding the issuing of Indian visas for covering Pakistan’s debut match at the ICC World Cup.
A PCB official responded to this situation by expressing the dissatisfaction of Pakistani media and fans and highlighting the crucial part they play in boosting the spirit and ambiance of sporting events. In addition to bringing energy to the stadium, the presence of fervent spectators and committed media members makes a substantial contribution to the game’s widespread coverage and admiration.
It takes several steps and requires approval from a number of Indian ministries, including the Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, and Sports Ministry, to obtain a visa for travel to India from a holder of a Pakistani passport. This is because Pakistan falls under India’s prior reference category (PRC) list, which complicates and lengthens the visa application procedure.
Now that visas have been issued, Pakistani journalists are prepared to cover one of the cricketing world’s most anticipated matches in-depth. India and Pakistan both started their World Cup campaigns with victories. Both will now square off on October 13 at Narendra Modi Stadium.
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