Pakistan cricket team on Monday (September 25) was issued visas for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, slated to be held in India from October 5 to November 19.

The Pakistan touring contingent can now travel to India, as confirmed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to Cricbuzz.

The development comes hours after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) raised concerns with the ICC over the delay in visas being issued to the national team for the showpiece tournament.

According to a PTI report, the PCB wrote to the apex body that delay in visa clearance from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad has impacted its World Cup preparations.

Babar Azam and his men were supposed to have a two-day team bonding session in Dubai before departing for Hyderabad to take part in their first warm-up match against New Zealand on September 29. But the plans had to be scrapped with uncertainty over Indian visa.

"Since the last week PCB is being informed that the visas will be received within 24 hours; but still awaiting and it has been indicated that the Indian Home Ministry has not granted NOC," a PCB spokesperson told PTI on Monday.

This will be Pakistan cricket team’s first visit to India since 2016. The arch-rivals only play each other in multi-nation tournaments such as the World Cup and the Asia Cup due to political tension between the two countries.

Pakistan are slated to open their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on October 6 in Hyderabad.

Pakistan squad for World Cup: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali

Travelling Reserves: Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan and Mohammad Haris