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PCB maintains silence over Miandad`s visit to Delhi

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is maintaining a silence over the issue of its director-general cricket, Javed Miandad going to New Delhi to watch the third and final One-day International between India and Pakistan.

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is maintaining a silence over the issue of its director-general cricket, Javed Miandad going to New Delhi to watch the third and final One-day International between India and Pakistan.
The news of Miandad being granted a visa by the authorities has generated a lot of controversy in India with a number of politicians questioning the decision as Miandad`s family has ties with Dawood Ibrahim, India`s most wanted terrorist. There had been reports before a series in 2005 that any requests for a visa by the batting great could be turned down by the Indian government. "We have been told to avoid any comments on this issue. Even Javed has been told not speak to the media on the sensitive subject," a source in the PCB said. Miandad`s son Junaid is married to Mahrukh, the daughter of Dawood, who is wanted in India in connection with the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case. Miandad had confirmed to the `Daily Dawn` newspaper on Tuesday that he will be witnessing the third ODI in New Delhi on January 6. "My visa and tickets are ready and I shall be in Delhi for the third ODI match scheduled for January 6," he said. Miandad also said that he did not face any trouble in getting the Indian visa and was quite excited about travelling to Delhi for the big game. The former captain was also granted visa to visit India in March, 2011 to witness the World Cup semifinal match between the arch-rivals at Mohali but he cancelled it due to some personal commitments. Miandad could not be contacted for his reactions on the latest outcry in India, but sources close to him confirmed he was conferring with his family, friends and the PCB whether it would be worthwhile to visit Delhi in the current situation. Interestingly, the PCB had not included Miandad`s name in a list of former captains and greats, it had prepared to send to India as goodwill ambassadors. The list included Intikhab Alam, Imtiaz Ahmed, Hanif Muhammad, Wasim Bari and Sadiq Muhammad. And except for Hanif, who will going to Delhi, the others are already in India as goodwill ambassadors. Former Pakistan captain, Imran Khan and his cousins, Majid Khan and Javed Burki had declined invitations from the PCB to go to India for the series. PTI