LAHORE (Kashmir English): Pakistan will not defend its title at the Over-50 Cricket World Cup 2027 in India after the government refused to grant permission for the team to take part.
Fawad Ijaz Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association, said the decision followed the government’s refusal to clear the team for the tournament. The event is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, Deccan, from January 23 to February 7, 2027.
Khan said the association respected the government’s decision. He added that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had informed them that permission to participate would not be granted.
Pakistan’s decision comes amid ongoing cricket tensions between Pakistan and India. Relations between the PCB and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) became strained after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.
The dispute led to a hybrid arrangement for ICC events during the 2024–2027 cycle, under which India and Pakistan would not travel to each other’s countries to play matches. Instead, their games would be held at neutral venues.
Under the arrangement, Pakistan played its matches in Sri Lanka during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year, which was co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The much-anticipated Pakistan-India match also took place in Colombo.
Pakistan’s withdrawal from the veterans’ cricket tournament means the defending champions will not get the opportunity to retain their title in India.
