NEW DELHI: Zaka Ashraf, the president of the Pakistan Cricket Board, will travel to Ahmedabad on Thursday to attend his country's pivotal World Cup match against India. It has been reported that Pakistani media professionals have been given the go-ahead to submit their passports for the purpose of obtaining visas to cover the international event.
60 Pakistani journalists have sought for visas, and if their application is delayed any longer, they may not be able to cover the important game.
"I have delayed my travel to India, and I am travelling tomorrow after receiving confirmation that Pakistan's journalists have been asked to submit their passports to obtain visas to cover the mega-event," Ashraf said in a press release issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
"I am happy that my conversation with the foreign office helped in achieving a positive development regarding the visa delay," he added.
1/10:ODI World Cup: Pakistan's all-loss record against India
AP
2/10:India vs Pakistan
<p>India have defeated Pakistan seven times out of seven at the ODI World Cup since they first met in Sydney in 1992. </p>PTI
3/10:1992 World Cup
<p>At Sydney, a low-scoring affair which was remembered more for Javed Miandad jumping up and down in a bizarre attempt to mimic wicketkeeper Kiran More. </p>Getty Images
4/10:Sachin Tendulkar
<p>Sachin Tendulkar hit an unbeaten 54 as Pakistan failed to chase a modest 217-run total, losing by 43 runs. </p>Getty Images
5/10:1996 World Cup
<p>Pakistan lost again by 39 runs in Bangalore in 1996 and the defeat resulted in a furious reaction back home -- skipper Wasim Akram was even alleged to have feigned injury. </p>Getty Images
6/10:1999 World Cup
<p>At the 1999 World Cup, Wasim and his team were subjected to a match-fixing inquiry after they lost by 47 runs to India and slumped to a shock loss to Bangladesh. </p>Getty Images
7/10:2003 World Cup
<p>Pakistan lost their 2003 World Cup encounter by six wickets as they were outdone by Sachin Tendulkar's brilliance in the chase at Centurion. </p>Getty Images
8/10:2011 World Cup
<p>A high-profile semi-final also went to India by 29 runs in Mohali in 2011. </p>AFP
9/10:2015 World Cup
<p>A packed house in Adelaide saw Virat Kohli's century subdue Pakistan by 76 runs in the 2015 World Cup. </p>Getty Images
10/10:2019 World Cup
<p>Pakistan once again fell short in 2019, in Manchester, as they lost by 83 runs in a rain-hit game after a Rohit Sharma hundred. </p>Getty ImagesAshraf was pleased with the way the Pakistani squad had played so far, winning both of their matches against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka easily.
"I am extremely pleased with the way the players have performed so far in the World Cup, winning both matches. The PCB management committee and the entire nation stand firmly behind the players for a successful campaign in the ongoing World Cup."
He said Pakistan should play fearless cricket.
"I am travelling to India to motivate the team, and my message to them before the India contest will be to play fearlessly as they have been playing throughout the event."
(With PTI inputs)
