Kathmandu will no longer host matches of the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind. Organisers confirmed that the city has been dropped as a neutral venue because of the ongoing political unrest in Nepal. Matches involving Pakistan, originally scheduled in Kathmandu, will now be shifted to another location. The event is set to run from November 11 to 25, with India as the primary host. New Delhi and Bengaluru will stage the league and knockout matches. A third city was considered essential to accommodate fixtures featuring Pakistan, given the political stand-off between the two nations. Read also: Sachin Tendulkar Denies BCCI Presidency Bid Rumors Civil Unrest Forces Shift, India Names Squad The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) stated, “Kathmandu was originally identified as the third host city, with fixtures involving Pakistan scheduled there; however, due to the current situation in Nepal, an alternate venue is being considered.” Nepal has been under a curfew following violent protests against a social media ban that claimed thirty lives and injured over a thousand people. The unrest also led to Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s resignation. Despite the setback, India has finalised a 16-member squad after a nationwide selection process. Deepika TC will lead the side, with Ganga S Kadam as vice-captain. The tournament will feature 21 league games, two semi-finals, and a final. India enters the event as the reigning gold medallist from the 2023 IBSA World Games, where the team defeated Australia in the final. Squads: B1 Category (Fully blind): Simu Das (Delhi), P. Karuna Kumari (Andhra Pradesh), Anu Kumari (Bihar), Jamuna Rani Tudu (Odisha), Kavya V (Karnataka) B2 Category (Significant vision loss): Anekha Devi (Delhi), Basanti Hansdah (Odisha), Simranjeet Kour (Rajasthan), Sunita Sarathe (Madhya Pradesh), Parbati Marndi (Odisha) B3 Category (Partial vision): Deepika TC (Karnataka – Captain), Phula Soren (Odisha), Ganga S Kadam (Maharashtra – Vice Captain), Kavya NR (Karnataka), Sushma Patel (Madhya Pradesh), Durga Yevle (Madhya Pradesh).