Pakistan's IPL bid gets first clearance

The Pakistan Cricket Board last week asked the sports ministry for No Objection Certificates (NOC) for fast bowlers Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir (pictured), along with all-rounder Abdul Razzaq. -Photo by AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan players have cleared the first political hurdle in their bid to play in the Indian Premier League next year, but face another obstacle.

Pakistan’s sports ministry is trying to get clearances for the players from other branches of government.

The ministry confirmed Wednesday that the foreign ministry had approved their bid to play in India, however the interior ministry was yet to give the green light.

‘The ministry (of sports) has received political clearance from foreign ministry, but we have yet to receive security clearance from interior (ministry),’ Faik Ali, spokesperson of sports ministry said.

‘Once we receive an advice from the ministry of interior, we will decide accordingly.’

‘The NOC will only be issued after taking all the aspects into consideration as the security of the players is very important for us,’ he said.

Ali hoped the ministry of the interior would respond by the end of this week.

The Pakistan Cricket Board last week asked the sports ministry for No Objection Certificates (NOC) for fast bowlers Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir, along with all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, to take part in IPL in March-April 2010.

Pakistan’s government barred its players from taking part in the lucrative Twenty20 league this year in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist attacks and consequent strained political relations between the neighboring countries.

Even when the 2009 IPL was shifted to South Africa, Pakistan players could not compete because their contracts had been terminated or suspended.

The IPL has extended a deadline for the PCB to submit NOCs of players until Dec. 7.

In 2008, 11 Pakistan players competed in the first edition of IPL. Only four players were retained by their respective franchises after the Mumbai attacks but their contracts remained suspended.LINK