SEO title: Pakistan opt out of Over-50s Cricket World Cup in India
Meta description: Defending champions Pakistan will miss the Over-50s Cricket World Cup in Hyderabad after government refused permission, the PVCA chairman confirmed.
Tags: Over-50s Cricket World Cup, PVCA, Fawad Ijaz Khan, Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan cricket, India, PCB
Original element: explainer context with own data point from FP’s prior coverage (Bangladesh replaced Pakistan at the Asian hockey Champions Trophy in India — internal link), plus fusion-formula background
Image note: real licensed photo (veterans cricket / trophy); caption must carry “Image:“
Pakistan opt out of Over-50s Cricket World Cup in India on government’s directives
Defending champions Pakistan will not take part in the IMC Over-50s Cricket World Cup in Hyderabad, India, after the federal government refused to grant permission. Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association chairman Fawad Ijaz Khan confirmed the decision on Tuesday, Geo Super reported. The fifth edition of the tournament will run from January 23 to February 7.
Government says no to Over-50s Cricket World Cup trip
The PVCA had sought clearance from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior for the trip to India. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also chairs the PCB, informed the association that the team would not be permitted to travel.
Host India had assured the PVCA of visas for the squad and high-level security during the event. The assurances were not enough to change the government’s position.
Defending champions stay home
Pakistan had every reason to want to be there. They won the previous edition by beating Sri Lanka in the final at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo on February 23, 2025.
Khan said the association respects the government’s decision and will abide by it. He added that he was disappointed at losing the chance to defend the title, and wished the organisers and the participating teams well.
The wider cricket standoff
The decision sits inside a longer dispute between the PCB and the BCCI. Relations soured after the BCCI refused to send its team to Pakistan for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy in early 2025. Under the 2024 to 2027 fusion formula, the two sides do not visit each other for ICC events and meet at neutral venues instead.
Pakistan played all of its ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka earlier this year, including the group match against India in Colombo. India-Pakistan meetings remain the sport’s biggest draw, as seen when India piled up 211 for six against Pakistan in the Asian Games men’s cricket final. The PCB has also dealt with plenty of off-field noise of its own recently, including Shoaib Akhtar’s rejection of reports linking him to a board role.
Not the first team to skip India this year
The veterans are not the only Pakistani side staying away from an event in India. In September, the Pakistan Hockey Federation declined to send its team to India for the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy. The Asian Hockey Federation brought in Bangladesh as Pakistan’s replacement for the six-team event in Jalandhar and Mohali, scheduled from October 27 to November 5.
The pattern is clear. While the PCB pushes ahead with its 2026 talent hunt programme to find the next generation, senior and veteran sides alike are being kept home from tournaments across the border.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the Over-50s Cricket World Cup?
The fifth edition will be held in Hyderabad, India, from January 23 to February 7.
Why is Pakistan not taking part?
The federal government refused permission for the trip. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi informed the PVCA of the decision.
Who are the defending champions?
Pakistan. They beat Sri Lanka in the final at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo on February 23, 2025.
What is the fusion formula?
It is the 2024 to 2027 arrangement under which Pakistan and India do not tour each other for ICC events. Their matches are played at neutral venues instead.
Has another Pakistan team skipped an event in India recently?
Yes. The Pakistan Hockey Federation declined to send its team to the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy in India in September, and Bangladesh replaced Pakistan in the tournament.
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