PCB yet to seek IPL clearance from government

Karachi, Nov 21 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
might have decided to give a go ahead to its players for
participating in next year's Indian Premier League, but the
board is yet to approach the Sports Ministry for the
government's clearance, a must for the cricketers to be a part
of the cash-awash Twenty20 event.
Pakistan Sports Minister Aftab Shah Jillani told PTI that
until now the Pakistan Cricket Board had not approached the
Ministry for clearance.
"The fact is that the Sports Ministry gets directly
involved when a national team is supposed to take part in any
event in India. But since the IPL is a private league it is a
matter between the Pakistan and Indian cricket boards,"
Jillani said.
"We will only be able to arrange for the clearance once
the PCB asks for it. The PCB is yet to apply for a clearance
for the players, who are planning to take part in the IPL," he
said.
Jillani stated that since cricket was a high profile
sport, the ministry would independently be seeking advice from
the foreign ministry on the issue.
"If the government is not involved and the two boards
handle it themselves then they are also responsible for
ensuring security and well being of the players while playing
in India," the Sports Minster said. MORE PTI