India gear up for cricket World Cup for blind

New Delhi [India], Jan 4 (ANI): The Indian Cricket team for Blind is all geared up to participate in the fifth World Cup, which has been shifted to UAE.

Earlier, Pakistan was scheduled to host the event but the venue was relocated to UAE after the Indian government refused to grant permission to the team to travel to Islamabad for the matches in the wake of political tensions between the two countries.

Commenting on it, Mahantesh G K, president Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), said that he respects the decision taken by the government as the country comes first.

"I respect what the government has decided. It is more than an individual's decision because the country comes first so the government is a better judge to decide on it," he said while talking to ANI.

Mahantesh, however, said that it does not really matter whether India plays in Pakistan or UAE when it comes to playing.

The Indian team but will go to UAE and play its first match against Australia on January 8 in Ajman.

The final of the tournament is scheduled for January 21 in Lahore but if defending champions India reaches the final and still do not get permission to travel to the country then the venue of the final would also be shifted to Sharjah, UAE.

Mahantesh said, "We will continue to wait for our government to consider our request and allow us to go and play in Pakistan and if they don't then the finals will happen in Dubai."

The tournament which is to be held from January 7 to 21 will see the participation of six nations, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia. (ANI)