PCB seeks govt nod for IPL participation

Karachi:

The Pakistan Cricket Board has finally approached the government to seek approval for its players to take part in the IPL-III but sports minister feels the PCB swung to action quite late.

Federal Sports minister Aftab Shah Jillani told PTI that his ministry has got a request from the PCB seeking NOC's for players to take part in the cash-rich IPL next year.

"Since cricket is a big sport in Pakistan and India and widely followed, we have sent the PCB request to the foreign and interior ministries for their advice and clearance," Jillani said.

But he was baffled why PCB had taken so long to send the request to the ministry when the IPL organisers have set a deadline of November 30 for their players to submit NOC's.

"We have four-day Eid holidays and I don't think it will be possible for us to get a response from the foreign and interior ministries by the IPL deadline," he added.

Jillani made it clear that while the ministry had given NOC's to other sports federations to take part in events in India but cricket was a different matter.

"Where cricket is concerned we have to get advice and approval from the foreign and interior ministries because of the relations status between the two countries," he said.

The Pakistan government didn't allow its players to take part in the IPL this year in the wake of strained relations with India after the Mumbai terror attacks.