The Pakistan cricket team has finally received their visas for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India, according to confirmation from the International Cricket Council (ICC). The delay in visa approval had raised concerns within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as it was affecting the team's preparations for the cross-border event.

Umar Farooq, the spokesperson for PCB, didn't mince words when expressing his dissatisfaction with what he described as an "extraordinary delay" in obtaining Indian visas. He highlighted that the visa processing had been beset by setbacks and uncertainties, disrupting the team's preparations significantly. These concerns were officially communicated to the ICC by PCB.

Farooq lamented the situation, stating, "It's a matter of disappointment that Pakistan team has to go through the uncertainty ahead of the major tournament." He also confirmed that the team had been instructed to collect their passports from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

The approval of visas carries additional significance given the strained political ties between India and Pakistan, resulting in the suspension of bilateral cricket matches. Both teams now only meet in multi-nation tournaments like the World Cup and Asia Cup. The visa delay added further tension to the already high-stakes relationship between the two cricketing rivals.

The Pakistan team is scheduled to arrive in India on September 27, where they will participate in two warm-up matches before their World Cup campaign begins against the Netherlands on October 6. The much-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan is set for October 14 in Ahmedabad, promising to be an electrifying contest.

Notably, India had chosen not to tour Pakistan for the Asia Cup and instead played their matches in Sri Lanka. This decision fueled speculations about the strained cricketing relations between the two nations.

Visa applications from Pakistan require clearances from three Indian ministries—Home, External Affairs, and Sports. The ICC, however, chose not to provide details regarding the specifics of the visa approval process, leaving several questions unanswered surrounding the delay.