The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has received a Rs20 million grant from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to host the Blind Cricket World Cup scheduled to be held in Sharjah and Pakistan from January 10-25, 2018.

"A total of Rs50m is required to host the Blind Cricket World Cup, and we have also requested the Punjab government and our other sponsors for their support in this regard," PBCC Chairman Syed Sultan Shah told APP.

Shah also thanked PM Nawaz for the grant. "As many as eight teams who are World Blind Cricket (Ltd) full members have been invited to participate in the World Cup. Those teams include Australia, West Indies, South Africa, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal."

Sultan said four teams had agreed to play in Pakistan but others had exhibited concerns.

Therefore, to confirm participation of all countries in the mega event, PBCC had decided to host the World Cup in both Sharjah and Pakistan in January 2018.

The final of the World Cup will be played in Pakistan.

The Pakistan Blind Cricket team will be picked by a selection committee comprising Syed Salman Bokhari, Masood Jan and Ibrar Shah.