The Indian government has refused to issue a visa to Masood Jan, a Pakistani coach appointed to train Nepal’s blind women’s cricket team for the upcoming Blind Women’s Cricket World Cup.

The tournament will begin on November 11 in India and Sri Lanka. Masood Jan, a former Pakistan international player and Pride of Performance award winner, was set to guide Nepal’s team but can no longer participate after being denied a visa. 

According to the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC), the decision has disappointed both Nepal and Pakistan. The council called it unfortunate that politics continues to affect sports events meant to promote inclusion and unity.

The tournament will go ahead as scheduled, but the absence of one of blind cricket’s most respected figures has dimmed the spirit of the competition.