IPL extends deadline for Pakistani players

Karachi:

The IPL organisers have extended the deadline for the submission of NOC's to play in the third edition by 10 days for the Pakistani players, PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt said on Tuesday.

Players from all countries were required to submit their NOC's from respective boards and government by November 20.

"But I spoke to the IPL commissioner, Lalit Modi and asked him to extend the deadline for our players since our situation was different from other countries," Butt told PTI.

"Modi very graciously allowed the extension to November 30 and we have now sent all required documents to the government seeking their clearance for our players to take part in the IPL," he said.

When told that the federal sports minister Aftab Shah Jillani had said that it would be difficult for the concerned ministries to get back to the board within stipulated time, Butt said he would urge the government to help them.

"I will personally speak to the sports minister and government officials and ask them to assist us as soon as possible because we are keen to see our players take part in the IPL next year," Butt said.

He said that even if the government could not complete the process by deadline and they just inform the board in writing that they were reviewing the issue, the IPL could be informed accordingly.

"Once the matter is under process we can get time for our players, he said.