Amid the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy standoff between India and Pakistan, additional sports events are now feeling the impact. The Indian High Commission has declined to grant visas to most Pakistani players set to participate in the Asia Cup Youth Scrabble Championship and the Delhi Cup. Reports indicate that the Pakistani players had submitted their visa applications two months prior, but the process was delayed. The Indian High Commission has now confirmed that these players will not receive visas.

Tariq Pervez, Director of the Pakistan Scrabble Association (PSA), voiced disappointment over this decision by the Indian authorities. Speaking to state-run APP, Pervez noted that half of the Pakistani team was denied visas without any stated reason, including players who had previously competed successfully in India in 2022.

Pervez shared that the scrabble players had traveled to Lahore in the hope of receiving their visas but will now have to return to Karachi disappointed.

“Half the team was denied visas without explanation, including players who competed and won in India just last year,” Pervez commented.

“As the reigning World Youth Champions and defending Asian Youth titleholders, Pakistan’s absence is a major setback for the tournament,” he added.

These recent developments have further strained sports relations between India and Pakistan. The situation has worsened following India’s decision not to send its men's cricket team to Pakistan for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the ICC and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of its choice to keep the ODI team from traveling to Pakistan for the tournament. While the PCB is committed to hosting the full event domestically, the Indian board has suggested a hybrid format. The PCB has yet to make a decision on the proposal, as they hold the hosting rights for the Champions Trophy.