Pakistan's participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) finally took a positive turn when, on Thursday, the Indian Interior Ministry issued visa clearances for four cricketers.
Pakistan's participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) finally took a positive turn when, on Thursday, the Indian Interior Ministry issued visa clearances for four cricketers.
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Sohail Tanvir, Abdul Razzaq, Misbah-ul Haq and Kamran Akmal who already have existing contracts with IPL franchises, got approvals from the ministry on Thursday morning.
IPL Chairman Lalit Modi had on Tuesday, dropped a bombshell saying that Pakistani cricketers would not be allowed to participate in the Twenty20 extravaganza owing to their failure to secure no objection certificates from Pakistan's Sports Ministry.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said at the time that all the visa papers had been sent to the Indian High Commissions in Islamabad and New Zealand where the Pakistan team is currently playing a series.
They said that the delay was all from the Indian side. With the Indian MEA now clearing those visas, it's likely that the Pakistani cricketers will be allowed to play in March next year.
Tanvir and Akmal are with Rajasthan Royals, while Gul and Misbah are on the payroll of Kolkata Knight Riders and Bangalore Royal Challengers respectively.