The Pakistan government earlier today gave the go ahead to the national cricket team to play in the World T20 tournament in India.
“I am pleased that our government has given its consent for our team to visit India,” said PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan on Thursday, adding that ICC has been asked to make special arrangements for the Pakistan cricket team in India.
“PCB will also be expecting visa facilitation and other arrangements for the Pakistani fans wishing to visit India for the ICC World T20.” he added.
The permission to play across the border came after weeks of speculation as doubts over the participation of the greenshirts on Indian soil refused to go away.
Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan had indicated that due to strong Pakistan-specific threats in India, a proposal had been given to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to consider scheduling matches on a neutral venue if the Pakistan government refused to allow the team to play in India.
Neighbours Pakistan and India share a volatile relationship. There was a thaw recently as Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif briefly met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of a climate change meeting in Paris late last year. That was followed by a surprise visit by Modi to Lahore on Sharif’s birthday.
But last month’s attacks on an Indian air base in Pathankot derailed the peace process leading to the cancellation of talks between the foreign secretaries.
