Pakistan has withdrawn from the Asian Squash Championship in India ©PSF

Pakistan has withdrawn from the Asian Squash Championship in India after claiming they were not issued visas in time.

Farhan Mahboob, Farhan Zaman, Waqar Mahboob and Tayyab Aslam were all due to compete in Chennai from today until April 30.

However, the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) confirmed their withdrawal and took aim at officials in India.

"It is regretted to inform you that the Pakistan Squash Federation has been forced to withdraw its squash contingent from participation in the 19th Asian Senior Squash Championship 2017, scheduled to be held in Chennai, India," said a statement from the PSF.

"PSF has thoughtfully taken a stance to represent our nation and players with dignity and to withdraw its contingent from the Championship with a hope that the world body would take strong notice of this incidence.

Pakistan's Jahangir Khan is among the nation's squash stars ©PSF
Pakistan's Jahangir Khan is among the nation's squash stars ©PSF

"India decided to issue visas on the 25th, thus ensuring that players could not meet the deadline due to airline schedules.

"The Indian High Commission, after returning all passports in the afternoon without visas, decided to offer visas at the last minute.

"It is a general practice that teams and officials reach the venue a few days before to acclimatise themselves, shedding off travel fatigue to play in extremely competitive squash of international standard."

Squash is extremely popular in Pakistan with the country producing greats of the game such as Jahangir Khan, considered as the best player ever.

The country has at times endured a tense political relationship with India, with which it shares a border of nearly 3,000 kilometeres.