Pakistan blind cricket team pulls out from the Asia Cup Cricket for the Blind 2016

Pakistan blind cricket team pulls out from the Asia Cup Cricket for the Blind 2016: Following the recent attack on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office in Mumbai to disrupt meeting with the PCB officials and threats of protest from the political party Shiv Sena against all artists and even umpire coming into India from across the board, the Pakistan blind cricket team has decided to pull out from the Asia Cricket Cup for the Blind 2016 which is scheduled to be played in India.

PBCC has informed officially the Cricket Association of the Blind in India (CABI) that Pakistan Blind Cricket Team will not take part in the event.

The Chairman of Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) and president of the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) Syed Sultan Shah, was quoted by NDTV saying, “The decision to pull out of the January games has been taken in the wake of the current sentiment pertaining to Pakistan and Pakistanis across the border.” He further added, “The management needs to ensure the safety and security of the team.”

The PBCC in a media release stated: “Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC), due to present circumstances and security concerns of Pakistani nationals in India, decided to pull out Pakistan Blind Cricket Team from Asia Cup Cricket for the Blind; which is schedule to be held in Kochi (India) from January 17 to 24, 2016,”

“Shiv Sena’s attack on Board of Control of Cricket in India headquarter, causing cancellation of PCB chairman’s meeting with BCCI president, threatening Aleem Dar from officiating in the last two India-South Africa ODIs and the decision of ICC to send Aleem back on security concerns compels us to consider the matter of Pakistan’s team security seriously.”

The PBCC further stated that the players are dejected on not being able to participate in the tournament since they had been training hard for the tournament. “Pakistan Blind Cricket Council had started the preparation of the said event, team was also shortlisted, but the current scenario all of a sudden changed the circumstances.”