India retains hosting rights for the historic inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind in 2025, a decision finalized during the World Blind Cricket Council’s (WBCC) Annual General Meeting held in Multan.
This event will adopt a hybrid model to ensure Pakistan’s participation, a significant move considering India’s previous withdrawal from the men’s T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan due to security concerns. To address potential visa challenges, Pakistan’s visually impaired women’s team will play all their matches at a neutral venue, either in Nepal or Sri Lanka.
“The hosting rights of the tournament were awarded to India last year (2023) only. It was also decided back then that in case there is a visa issue with the Pakistan team’s coming to India, the tournament will be held in Hybrid Model. Pakistan will play all its matches at a neutral venue,” said GK Mahantesh, President of the Cricket Association of Blind in India (CABI).
Further elaborating on the arrangement, Mahantesh stated, “Pakistan’s visually challenged women’s team will be based either in Nepal or in Sri Lanka for the entire duration of the tournament. The Indian team will travel to Nepal or Sri Lanka to play against them. The cost of the entire event will be borne by our cricket board. We will pay for the Pakistan team’s entire stay in either of these two countries.”
The AGM saw the participation of 11 member countries, with India, England, and New Zealand joining virtually. A key resolution passed at the meeting was to standardize international tournaments by aligning with International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Sight Classification rules. Additionally, CABI was entrusted with the responsibility of promoting blind cricket in the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates by helping establish men’s and women’s teams in these nations.
In mid-2020, a groundbreaking announcement stirred the cricketing world: India was preparing to form its first-ever women’s cricket team for the blind. Fast-forward to April 11, 2023, this dream became a reality when the CABI unveiled the trailblazing squad. The historic team embarked on its maiden international tour to Nepal for a bilateral series, marking a significant milestone. Although the series ended in a 3-1 defeat, the seeds of perseverance and potential were sown.
August 2023 etched an unforgettable chapter in India’s cricketing history. The visually challenged Indian women’s cricket team soared to new heights by clinching the gold medal at the IBSA World Games. In a rain-affected final against Australia, India showcased extraordinary grit and determination, chasing down their target with ease to seal a remarkable nine-wicket victory. This triumph was not just a win but a testament to the team’s indomitable spirit and passion for the sport.
The team’s journey didn’t stop there. In December 2023, India hosted Nepal for a five-match T20I series. Determined to bounce back from their earlier loss, the Indian women dominated the series with clinical performances, claiming an emphatic 4-1 victory.
With India hosting and the hybrid model ensuring broader participation, the 2025 Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind is set to be a monumental event in the history of cricket and the golden girls will be presented with an opportunity to script history, winning the inaugural World Cup.
(Quotes sourced from the PTI)
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