Breaking: India to Stage the First Women’s T20 World Cup for Blind Cricketers in 2025

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Pakistan's women’s blind cricket team will play their matches for next year's inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup at a neutral venue, either in Nepal or Sri Lanka, following the adoption of a hybrid model at the World Blind Cricket Council's (WBCC) Annual General Meeting in Multan.

This decision comes after India withdrew from the Men's T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan earlier this year due to security concerns. The hosting rights for the Women’s T20 World Cup were awarded to India in 2023, and this was confirmed at the AGM, which was attended by representatives from 11 member countries. India, England, and New Zealand joined the meeting virtually.

GK Mahantesh, the President of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), explained that the tournament was awarded to India last year, and it was agreed that in case there were any visa issues preventing Pakistan’s team from traveling to India, the event would proceed under the hybrid model. As per the new plan, Pakistan will play all its matches at a neutral venue, either in Nepal or Sri Lanka.

Mahantesh further added that the CABI will bear the full cost of the event, including the expenses for Pakistan’s team in whichever country they are based. "Pakistan's women’s blind cricket team will be stationed in either Nepal or Sri Lanka for the entire tournament, and the Indian team will travel to play against them," he said.

The CABI is not affiliated with either the BCCI or the ICC. In addition to the hybrid model decision, several other important resolutions were passed at the AGM, including the appointment of Rajanish Henry and Chandrasekhar KN as Secretary General and Director of Finance for a two-year term. Henry, a former Vice President of the WBCC, is also the President of the Cricket Association for the Blind in Kerala. Chandrasekhar, a founding member of CABI, has previously served as the organization’s Treasurer.

The AGM also confirmed that the next Men’s T20 World Cup for Blind Cricket will be held in 2027, with the date and venue to be finalized during the 2025 AGM. Another key decision was that all international tournaments for blind cricket will now follow the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Sight Classification rules to ensure uniformity and inclusivity across the sport. Additionally, the CABI plans to lead efforts to promote blind cricket in the USA and UAE, aiming to establish both men's and women’s teams in these regions.