 | | Former Pakistan all- rounder Azhar Mahmood has been granted an Indian visa and will be playing for Punjab team in the T20 Season 5, skipper Gilchrist has confirmed....... |
Mohali, Apr 14(ANI): Former Pakistan all- rounder Azhar Mahmood has been granted an Indian visa and will be playing for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League, skipper Adam Gilchrist has confirmed."I have just been told that he has received a visa," the Nation quoted Gilchrist, as saying after his team beat the Pune Warriors. Gilchrist, who is also the team's coach, said Mahmood (37) should be joining the side soon and added "that would be nice". Mahmood’s inclusion in the Kings XI Punjab is expected to bolster the side in the absence of English pacer Stuart Broad, who has been ruled out due to an injury On being asked about Mahmood’s absence, the team management had earlier said Mahmood had taken a short break from cricket, but Gilchrist revealed that the former had been unable to play in the IPL due to visa issues. "It's up to the government because he is not getting his visa at the moment. We bought a player we were told was available for every game and we are still unable to access our player. It's not in our hands,” he had said. Mahmood, who has featured in 21 Tests and 143 ODIs for Pakistan, was bought by Kings XI Punjab 200,000 dollars at an auction. Mahmood will be the only Pakistani player to feature in this season's IPL if he plays in the tournament. (ANI) |