Pakistan will not participate in the Over-50s Cricket World Cup 2027 in Hyderabad, India, after the government declined permission for the team to travel for the tournament.
The International Masters Cricket Over-50s World Cup will take place from January 24 to February 7, 2027. Pakistan won the previous edition in Sri Lanka in 2025 and were due to defend their title at the upcoming tournament.
Pakistan Veterans Cricket Association (PVCA) chairman Fawad Ijaz Khan said the association fully respected the government’s decision.
The withdrawal comes amid other restrictions on Pakistani teams participating in events in India.
Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refused to issue no-objection certificates to Pakistan Champions for the World Championship of Legends (WCL), preventing the team from taking part.
PCB had criticised the WCL for what it described as “hypocrisy and bias” after the Indian team refused to exchange greetings with Pakistan players, accusing the tournament of mixing politics with sport.
It also said it would “no longer condone participation in the event” and announced a blanket ban on Pakistan’s future participation.
