PCB still hopeful of players' participation in IPL
The deadline for visa clearance may have been missed but Pakistani players could still make it to the Indian Premier League's third edition next year as their Cricket Board is hopeful of completing the requisite paperwork within the next couple of days.
IPL commissioner Lalit Modi ruled out participation of the Pakistani players in the Twenty20 event's third edition next year after they failed to obtain the visas for India by the December 7 deadline.
PCB chief Ejaz Butt said the visas would be issued by the Indian High Commission in the next couple of days, paving the way for the players' trip to India for the March-April event.
"We haven't left the situation for now. We are hopeful that the visas will come through in a day or two and are very hopeful that Pakistan's players will be in the next IPL," Butt said.
The deadline for obtaining visas was extended five times for the Pakistani players but they could not get the paperwork done in that time. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad has said the players' applications were being processed.
"The High Commission was approached by the PCB for issuance of visa to only one player (Sohail Tanvir), while three other players submitted visa applications to the High Commission of India in Wellington (where the team is currently playing). These visa applications are being processed," the High Commission said in a statement.
