JOIN USAfter initially refusing them permission to travel to Chandigarh, India on Monday granted visa for Pakistani team Faisalabad Wolves to stay in the City for the Champions League T20 qualifiers, beginning at Mohali on Tuesday.
Initially, the Pakistani team was given visa only for Mohali and its team members were asked to vacate the team hotel in Chandigarh after checking-in on Sunday. The side, led by Misbah-ul-Haq, then had to spend the night in the Punjab Cricket Association’s club house at the Mohali stadium.
Subsequently, the Wolves applied for additional visa to stay in Chandigarh on Monday morning and it has been granted by the Union Home Ministry after discussing the matter with the Board of Control for Cricket in India officials.
A senior Home Ministry official added that visa for other cities too would be given to the visitors if they progress to the main draw of the tournament.
“The team has been given visas for Chandigarh, and they can now stay at the team hotel and are free to travel within Chandigarh,” PCA Joint Secretary, G S Walia said.
“The BCCI immediately took up the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs and added Chandigarh on the visa list. The Faisalabad Wolves have shifted to their designated hotel,” said Walia.
The initial denial of visa came against the backdrop of recent ceasefire violations along the LOC between India and Pakistan, which had triggered tension between the two countries, as the authorities felt that there could be security problems due to Wolves’ presence.
The Pakistani team will play its first match on Tuesday against New Zealand side Ottago Volts.