ISLAMABAD: The Ind­ian government has denied permission to its kabaddi team to participate in a series of friendly matches scheduled to be held in Pakistan, the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) said on Thursday.

PKF secretary Moham­mad Sarwar Rana expre­ssed disappointment over India’s decision to cancel its team’s tour to Pakistan.

“Our counterparts in India have conveyed inability to send their team to Pakistan. We regret this decision, as we had eagerly anticipated hosting them here,” Sarwar said while talking to APP.

The Indian team was set to play against Pakistan at Kartarpur on Nov 19 followed by matches in Lahore (Nov 21) and Bahawalpur (Nov 23).

According to Rana, after this setback the PKF is pla­nning to arrange some alt­e­rnative exhibition matches.

The move comes after India recently refused to send its cricket team to Pa­k­istan for the ICC Cha­m­pions Trophy scheduled to take place in Pakistan during February-March next year.

India’s blind cricket team is also facing similar challenge as it awaits final government approval to compete in the upcoming T20 World Cup which will be staged in Lahore and Multan from Nov 23 to Dec 3.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2024