Canadian cricket club players denied visas

published by asingh on Tue, 05/15/2012 - 22:02

Canada’s Berry Cricket Club (BCC) has pulled out of a Pakistani cricket tournament after three of its Indian players faced visa issues.

“BCC agreed to take part but three of their Indian players failed to get visas which means they won’t be coming here,” The Express Tribune learnt from a member of the committee tasked with organizing the event.

It is not yet clear why the players were denied visas; however, the issue has dented BCC’s plans of participating in the tournament which is scheduled to kick off from May 21, 2012, in Karachi. The event boasts the participation of local and national teams from Hong Kong, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Dammam, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.

Security issues have been the main concern behind foreign teams’ reluctance in touring Pakistan, especially after the 2009 attack on the touring Lankan side, which resulted in several casualties and injuries. This event is aimed at promoting Pakistan internationally, proving that the country is capable of hosting cricketing events.

“We will provide fool-proof security from the hotels to the grounds and they will be in close vicinity of their hotels. Our aim is build a soft image of Pakistan so that sporting activities can resume. We want to tell the world that we are a sports and peace loving nation,” explained Asif and Rashid Latif, both of whom are involved in organizing the much hyped cricketing event.

Pakistani players have been deprived of cricket since the Mumbai attacks in 2008 and the one on the Lankan team in 2009. The Green Shirts were unable to invite any international team over, and eventually have had to play their home fixtures on neutral venues like the UAE.