World T20: Pakistan await govt’s approval to play in India
Final decision to be relayed in a few days, according to PCB official
PHOTO: REUTERS
DUBAI:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is still awaiting permission from the government to play World T20 matches in India as doubts over their participation on Indian soil refuse to go away.
“There has been no decision from the government yet,” a senior PCB official told The Express Tribune. “We’re waiting for their decision and will do as instructed. Obviously, there are genuine concerns regarding security [of the team] but hopefully we’ll get a clear picture in a few days.”
Pakistan's World T20 matches may be played at neutral venue: PCB
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had indicated on Monday that due to strong Pakistan-specific threats in India, a proposal had been given to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider scheduling matches on a neutral venue if the Pakistan government refuses to allow the team to play in India.
“If the decision [by the Pakistan government] is negative then maybe the ICC will say that our matches should be held on neutral venues in Sri Lanka or United Arab Emirates,” Shaharyar said on Monday.
Neighbours Pakistan and India share a volatile relationship. There was a thaw recently as Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif briefly met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of a climate change meeting in Paris late last year. That was followed by a surprise visit by Modi to Lahore on Sharif’s birthday.
Pakistan can 'survive' without playing India, says Wasim Akram
But last month’s attacks on an Indian air base in Pathankot derailed the peace process leading to the cancellation of talks between the foreign secretaries.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2016.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is still awaiting permission from the government to play World T20 matches in India as doubts over their participation on Indian soil refuse to go away.
“There has been no decision from the government yet,” a senior PCB official told The Express Tribune. “We’re waiting for their decision and will do as instructed. Obviously, there are genuine concerns regarding security [of the team] but hopefully we’ll get a clear picture in a few days.”
Pakistan's World T20 matches may be played at neutral venue: PCB
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had indicated on Monday that due to strong Pakistan-specific threats in India, a proposal had been given to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider scheduling matches on a neutral venue if the Pakistan government refuses to allow the team to play in India.
“If the decision [by the Pakistan government] is negative then maybe the ICC will say that our matches should be held on neutral venues in Sri Lanka or United Arab Emirates,” Shaharyar said on Monday.
Neighbours Pakistan and India share a volatile relationship. There was a thaw recently as Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif briefly met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of a climate change meeting in Paris late last year. That was followed by a surprise visit by Modi to Lahore on Sharif’s birthday.
Pakistan can 'survive' without playing India, says Wasim Akram
But last month’s attacks on an Indian air base in Pathankot derailed the peace process leading to the cancellation of talks between the foreign secretaries.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2016.