Pak players visas cleared for possible India trip during WC

Karachi, Feb 25 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board hasheaved a sigh of relief after the Indian High Commissioncleared visas for the national squad to play across the borderif they qualify for the knockout stages of the 2011 World Cup.

Pakistan could be required to play their quarterfinal inAhmedabad or the semifinals or final in India if they qualifyfor these matches.

The PCB had, in a preemptive move, submitted applicationsfor visas for the entire squad and other board officials tothe Indian High Commission in Islamabad for clearance at anearly stage.

"The Indian commission has cleared the issuance of visasfor our team and that means that we will face no issuesplaying in India if we qualify for those matches," a boardofficial said.

Pakistan team has not played in India or any bilateralseries with the Indians since the Mumbai terror attacks inNovember 2008 but the PCB is pushing the BCCI and the ICC topave the way for resumption of bilateral ties at least at theneutral venues.