Pakistan gets government clearance to participate in the World T20

Pakistan’s government has given the green signal to its national team to participate in the upcoming ICC World T20 which will be held in India from March 8. This puts an end to weeks of uncertainty where Pakistan was contemplating whether to participate in the marquee event. In February, during the ICC meeting, there was speculation that the Pakistan government might not allow the team to play in the World T20 in India as there were threats from extremists in India.

Pakistan has been clubbed in the same group as India. They start their campaign in the big event on March 16 at the Eden Gardens, before locking horns against India at Dharamshala on March 19.

The Pakistan Cricket Board had said it was not under any pressure from the International Cricket Council to send its team and a final decision remains solely dependent on government clearance.

Speaking about this development, PCB chairman Shahryar Khan said, “I am pleased that our Government has given its consent for our team to visit India. As a duty of care, we have asked ICC to put in place special arrangements for the Pakistan cricket team while in India we will also be expecting visa facilitation and other arrangements for the Pakistani fans wishing to visit India for the ICC World Twenty20 2016.”

The PCB chairman had earlier said that the decision to play Pakistan’s World T20 matches at Indian venues would only be taken after consulting with the government and that if it refuses to allow the team to travel to India, the board will ask the ICC to shift Pakistan’s matches to a neutral venue.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has been appointed the team’s bowling coach for the Asia Cup and WorldT20. He is expected to join the squad in Dhaka on Thursday evening. Mahmood is replacing regular bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed for these two tournaments. According to the PCB, Mushtaq is rested and is expected to resume his duties ahead of the England tour in June this year.