Pakistan Cricket Board is waiting for a response from its government on whether Pakistani cricketers can play in the Indian Premier League this season. According to sources,PCB has sought directives from the government on the issue after the IPL wrote to the Board and enquired about the status of Pakistani cricketers. "The IPL wrote to the PCB asking it to find out from its government by January 29 if the players can travel to India for the IPL this year," one well-informed source said. He said the IPL had informed the PCB that indications from the Indian government were that Pakistani cricketers would be allowed to play in the IPL starting on April 10 despite the tense relations between the two countries since the Mumbai terror attacks. "The PCB has written to the concerned authorities and are awaiting a response from them even though the deadline has passed," the source said. The 'Daily Express' reported today that IPL had made it clear to the PCB that Pakistani players who have signed up for the IPL would not get a single paisa if their government didn't allow them to travel to India for the tournament. "The IPL has also made it clear to the PCB that if the Pakistani players can't take part in the league on directives of the Indian government then they would be paid their full dues," the report said. The Sports Ministry had made it clear that it had security concerns for Pakistani sportspersons to play in India because of current tense relations between the two countries. Around a dozen Pakistani players are already signed up with different franchises of the IPL while another five,including leg-spinner Danish Kaneria,have been put on the players' auction to be held in Goa on February 6.
