LAHORE, Feb 25: Pakistan will allow banned former captain Salim Malik, who is barred from travelling abroad, to visit India to watch the upcoming cricket series between the arch rivals, officials said on Friday.

The 41-year old Malik, who played 103 Tests and 283 One-day Internationals between 1981-1999, now lives a reclusive life after he was banned on charges of match fixing in 2000.

His name was put on the government's Exit Control List (ECL) which bars people from travelling abroad. He was also barred from holding any cricket related post. However the Interior Ministry on Thursday lifted the ban temporarily for one month.

"Yes, Malik has been given permission to go abroad but his name has not been removed from the ECL," Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said. Malik welcomed the decision. "It's a good news for me because I want to see the cricket series and I have also had various commentary offers," said Malik, whose appeal against the life ban is still pending with the Supreme Court. -AFP