Internet Desk: Shahid Afridi and his team is all set to be seen in action at the forthcoming ICC World Twenty 20 in India starting next month . After much hiccups, the Pakistan Government has at last given their nod to its national team to participate in the upcoming event in India.
There was uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the World Twenty20. In February, during the ICC meeting, there has been speculation that Pakistan might cancel their participation. The Pakistan Cricket Board did give it’s consent to send the team but the final decision entirely depended on the Pakistan Government. PCB may have to pay a hefty penalty if it failed to send the team to India next month.
Pakistan is scheduled to play their opening match against the qualifying team on March 16. They will face arch rivals India at Dharamsala on 19th March. They will play their last two match of league phase in Mohali against New zealand and Australia respectively on 22nd and 25th March.
The Chairman PCB Mr. Shaharyar M. Khan who is currently in Dhaka 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 T20 2016”.
Earlier a bilateral series between the cross border nation has to be cancelled as the Indian Government didn’t give green signal to the BCCI to hold the series .
According to sources,the visa applications of all the players alongside the support staffs have been processed. Earlier BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur has assured that adequate security will be provided to the Pakistan Cricket Team.
Pakistan are yet to win an encounter against their arch rivals in any major ICC events . In the inaugural event in South Africa , Misbah Ul Haq led Pakistan team lost to India in a thrilling encounter in the 2007 World T20 Final.