Pakistan will not defend their International Masters Cricket (IMC) Over-50s World Cup title in India in 2027 after the government refused permission for the national veterans’ team to travel to Hyderabad, according to a report by Geo Super. The decision rules out the defending champions from the tournament despite assurances from the Indian organisers regarding visas and security arrangements.
The Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) confirmed the withdrawal, with Chairman Fawad Ijaz Khan expressing disappointment that Pakistan would be unable to compete for a second consecutive title.
Government decision ends Pakistan’s title defence
Pakistan had been preparing to participate in the fifth edition of the IMC Over-50s Cricket World Cup, scheduled for January and February 2027 in Hyderabad, India.
The team entered the upcoming tournament as defending champions after defeating Sri Lanka in the final of the previous edition, held in Sri Lanka in 2025.
Before the government’s decision, the Indian hosts had assured the PVCA that Pakistani players would receive visas and high-level security during their visit.
Following those assurances, the association approached Pakistan’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior to seek the necessary clearance.
However, Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi subsequently informed the PVCA that the government would not authorise the team’s participation.
Khan confirmed that the association would respect and comply with the decision, while conveying his best wishes to the tournament organisers and participating teams.
India-Pakistan cricket restrictions extend beyond ICC events
Pakistan’s withdrawal comes against the backdrop of continuing restrictions on cricketing exchanges between the two countries, including arrangements governing their participation in International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments.
The dispute intensified ahead of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy in 2025 when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) declined to send its team to Pakistan.
The resulting disagreement led to a neutral-venue arrangement under which India and Pakistan would not travel to each other’s countries for ICC events during the 2024–2027 cycle.
That arrangement was subsequently reflected in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Pakistan played its matches in Sri Lanka, including its encounter against India in Colombo.
The Over-50s World Cup is organised outside the ICC tournament structure, but Pakistan’s inability to travel to India demonstrates how restrictions on bilateral sporting visits also affect veterans’ cricket.
Wider sporting disputes affect Pakistani teams
The veterans’ team’s withdrawal follows other decisions involving Pakistani participation in sporting competitions connected to India.
The PCB previously withheld no-objection certificates from Pakistan Champions for the World Championship of Legends (WCL), preventing the team from participating.
The PCB criticised the tournament for what it considered inconsistent and unfair treatment after India Champions refused to play against Pakistan Champions in both the group stage and semi-final last year, with the latter withdrawal giving Pakistan a place in the final. The board subsequently announced a blanket ban on Pakistan’s future participation in the competition.
Similar difficulties have affected hockey. In September 2026, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) declined to send its national team to India for the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy, requesting either a change of host country or neutral venues for Pakistan’s matches.
The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) subsequently replaced Pakistan with Bangladesh for the six-team tournament scheduled in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5.
Over-50s World Cup to proceed without defending champions
Pakistan’s absence leaves the 2027 IMC Over-50s Cricket World Cup without the team that won the previous edition.
Although the Indian organisers had offered travel and security assurances, those arrangements were insufficient to secure the government approval required for Pakistan’s participation.
With the PVCA accepting the decision, Pakistan will not defend its title when the tournament takes place in Hyderabad in early 2027.
For the PVCA, the decision brings an end to its plans for the 2027 tournament, with the association accepting the government’s position despite its disappointment at being unable to defend the title. Khan has also extended his best wishes to the organisers and participating teams.
