Pakistan will not play the Over-50s World Cup in India either, ending their title defence before it begins
Pakistan will not take part in the Over-50s Cricket World Cup to be held in India. Despite being the defending champions, the team will not take the field this time because permission to play in India did not come from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
The International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-50s Cricket World Cup is scheduled to be held in India in January-February next year. Fawad Ijaz Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA), has confirmed that Pakistan will not participate in this World Cup.
It is understood that host country India had assured Pakistan of visas and high-level security. On the basis of that assurance, the PVCA applied to Pakistan's foreign ministry and home ministry seeking permission to take part in the tournament.
But Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi gave no permission for the veterans to play on Indian soil. As a result, despite applying, the veteran team will not travel to the tournament.
Mohsin Naqvi is also Pakistan's interior minister. For that reason, it is understood, the PVCA did not receive permission from him to play the Over-50s World Cup on Indian soil.
PVCA chairman Fawad Ijaz Khan said, 'We respect the government's decision and will abide by it.' He made clear the decision would be accepted without entering into any dispute over it.
The fifth edition of the tournament is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, India, from 23 January to 7 February next year. That edition will now go ahead without Pakistan.
Pakistan won the Over-50s World Cup title last year, beating Sri Lanka in the final. This time they were due to take part as defending champions, but that will no longer be possible.
Expressing disappointment, the PVCA chairman said he was disappointed not to be able to compete on the world stage to retain their title, while also wishing the World Cup organisers and participating teams well.
The decision comes in continuation of the long-running strain in India-Pakistan cricket relations. In December 2024, the ICC brokered an understanding between the two boards — until 2027, neither would travel to the other's country for ICC tournaments hosted by the other.
The effect of that understanding has been visible in recent tournaments as well. Although Pakistan hosted the 2025 Champions Trophy, India played their matches in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. In the women's ODI World Cup held in India the same year, Pakistan played their matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
So the same pattern has continued in the veterans' World Cup this time. The Over-50s world event will be staged in Hyderabad without the title-holding team, and Pakistan's veteran cricketers will have to wait for another opportunity in the future.
