Agencies
Islamabad: Pakistan foreign ministry has advised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) not to send its players to participate in the second edition of IPL on security grounds. However, the final decision will be taken by PCB.
Saleem Altaf, PCB chief operating officer, has already told IPL and the Borad of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that Pakistan players wouldn't be available for IPL.
Around a dozen Pakistani cricketers are signed up with different franchises in the IPL while five others, including leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, were entered in a players auction to be held in Goa on Thursday.
Altaf said they had sought clearance from the sport ministry for allowing cricketers to travel to India because of the tense relations between Pakistan and India after the Mumbai militant attacks in November.
"The sports ministry said it would give clearance but the foreign ministry has told us it would not be advisable to send players to India at this time," Altaf said.
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik who plays for Delhi, said the players would abide by the government and board's directive.
Pakistani players were a major draw in the first IPL tournament with all-rounder Sohail Tanvir guiding his Rajasthan Royals to the title and winning the best bowler award.
The Indian government had stopped its team from undertaking a test tour of Pakistan in January after the Mumbai attacks.
Later the Pakistani sports ministry refused to give permission to the national hockey and squash teams to travel to India for international events.
Monday, February 2, 2009
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