LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain and now a key official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Javed Miandad is unlikely to go to India to watch the last ODI between Pakistan and India in Delhi on Sunday.
Miandad was to leave for India on Saturday, but soon after the report of issuance of visa to him by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, a strong reaction from the Indian media and section of public erupted, forcing Miandad to reconsider his decision.
“I am waiting for permission from PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf, which I am expecting to get some time late on Friday night. I will then take a decision whether to go to India or not,” Miandad told Dawn.
He said, in fact, the propaganda in India against his visit had done nothing in forcing him to reconsider the decision, but actually heavy workload in PCB offices and an upcoming meeting of the Asian Cricket Council on Jan 9 are keeping him busy.
He said India had also given him visa to watch the World Cup semi-final in 2011 but he could not go because of heavy workload.
He dispelled the impression that his relationship with Dawood Ibrahim was creating problem for him in visiting India, adding that all close relatives of Dawood were living in India.
He alleged that some sections of the Indian press, after losing the ODI series, wanted to settle the score by hitting his visit to India.
He said the Indian High Commission has also issued him visa for Ajmer Sharif and if he goes to India, he would definitely visit the holy city.