Pakistan government slams PCB chief over India visit

Islamabad: On Tuesday, two weeks after an abortive visit by a Pakistan cricket board delegation to Mumbai, Sports Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada has sought a clarification from the PCB chief on the India trip, the media reported .

Taking “serious notice” of the trip during which activists of the rightist Shiv Sena staged an anti-Pakistan protest at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, Pirzada has sought clarification whether Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan sought government permission before travelling to India, reported Dawn online citing a letter to the PCB chairman dated November 2.

Shaharyar’s meeting with Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar could not take place on October 18 following the disruption by the Shiv Sena activists.

Shaharyar went to India to discuss the possibilities of resumption of bilateral cricket series between the two countries, which have been suspended for the past eight years.

The letter said, “The minister has sought explanation along with the details of the incident from PCB”.

“The PCB management was asked to clarify as to whether or not the foreign office was consulted beforehand. Furthermore, whether a prior permission from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was taken or not.”

It further added, “Pakistan Sports Board was directed to incorporate the representation of PSB in matters involving other countries to avoid such mishaps in the future”