PCB gets clearance from Foreign ministry for IPL

Karachi:

Pakistan foreign ministry has no objection to send country's cricketers to India to play in the Indian Premier League next year and if the interior ministry gives a security clearance, players will be issued NOCs soon.

A sports ministry spokesman today said the NOC's could not be issued to the players until they get security clearance from the interior ministry.

"The situation is that the foreign ministry has given political clearance for our players to take part in the IPL to the sports ministry. But we are still waiting for security clearance from the interior ministry for the players to go for the IPL," Faik Ali said.

Pakistani players were advised against travelling to India for the IPL-II this year by the government after being told by the interior and foreign ministries that there were security issues after the Mumbai terror attacks.

The IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has sought the availability and NOC's from the PCB and government in advance so that the players can be considered for the auction and transfers for the third season.

The IPL has also extended the deadline to submit NOC to December 9 for the Pakistani players PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt sounded confident of getting security clearance from the interior ministry.

"Last time the situation was a bit different and things have improved a bit. It will be good for our players if they can play in the IPL," he said.