The ICC Men’s World Cup begins on October 5, with England facing New Zealand in a rematch of the 2019 final; Pakistan are set to begin their tournament a day later against the Netherlands in Hyderabad, with all matches live on Sky Sports

Pakistan’s preparations for the ICC Men’s World Cup in India are thrown into limbo as members of the tour group await visas.

The World Cup begins on October 5, with 10 teams intensifying their preparations for the tournament. However, all the teams to compete have been issued visas, except for Pakistan.

Sky Sports News it was said that the Pakistan Cricket Board was still awaiting a visa response from the Indian embassy in Pakistan, which was “hindering” the side’s preparations for the tournament.

They are scheduled to play two warm-up matches – against New Zealand on September 29 and Australia on October 3 – in Hyderabad before their tournament opener on October 6 against the Netherlands at the same venue.

This is the first time that the Pakistan men’s team is traveling to India since the 2016 World Cup.

Travel between the two countries for citizens of both sides is restricted and Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup has been subject to negotiation due to the Asian Cup.

The Asia Cup was supposed to be held in Pakistan, but only four matches were held in the country, with the Indian team not allowed to travel across the border. Most of the tournament was played in Sri Lanka in a hybrid model.

India threatened to pull out of the Asia Cup even before the hybrid model was proposed. The PCB had earlier this year said it would consider its participation in the World Cup if India did not play in the Asia Cup.

The ICC and BCCI have been contacted for comment Sky Sports News.