Tue Nov 12 10:27:46 UTC 2024: ## India-Pakistan Tensions Spill Over into Scrabble: Pakistani Youth Team Denied Visas for Asia Cup

**New Delhi/Karachi** – The ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan have now extended to the world of Scrabble. The Indian High Commission has refused to issue visas to most Pakistani players for the upcoming Asia Cup Youth Scrabble Championship and Delhi Cup, scheduled to take place in India.

The Pakistan Scrabble Association (PSA) Director Tariq Pervez expressed his deep disappointment, stating that half the team, including players who had previously participated and won in India in 2022, were denied visas without explanation.

The Pakistani players, who had applied for visas two months in advance and had traveled to Lahore in anticipation of receiving them, will now have to return to Karachi disheartened.

“As reigning World Youth Champions and defending Asian Youth titleholders, Pakistan’s absence is a significant setback for the tournament,” Pervez lamented.

This incident further deteriorates the already strained sporting relations between the two nations, following the recent controversy regarding the Indian men’s cricket team’s participation in next year’s ICC Champions Trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the ICC and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of their decision not to send the ODI team to Pakistan for the tournament.

While the PCB is determined to host the entire tournament in Pakistan, the BCCI has suggested a hybrid format. The Pakistan board, who hold hosting rights, is yet to make a decision on the matter.

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