PCB chief Shahryar Khan detained at Kolkata airport
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan was detained at the Kolkata airport upon his arrival here on Saturday evening. As per the diplomatic agreement between the two countries, Pakistan nationals coming to India must have Delhi, Mumbai or Amristar as their port of entry. Khan, who was scheduled to meet BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya, came via a Jet Airways flight from Dhaka, where the Pakistan team on Sunday concluded their nearly month-long cricket tour of Bangladesh.
READ: PCB chief to meet Jagmohan Dalmiya, seeks stamp on bilateral series
Dalmiya confirmed to The Sunday Express that there was an issue, but the BCCI was trying to resolve it. Later, according to the Press trust of India, Khan was allowed to enter the city as a “special case” following the Union Home Ministry’s intervention.
The news of Khan’s detention saw senior Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and BCCI officials rushing to the airport. The BCCI, sources said, got in touch with the Indian government to salvage the situation.
Khan’s purpose of visit was to meet Dalmiya on Sunday afternoon with regard to the resumption of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan. The PCB wants to play a full series against India in the UAE. Khan had earlier come to New Delhi and had a round of discussion with BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur. That was in March, following the BCCI ‘s annual general meeting. India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series – three ODIs and two T20s – in 2012-13.
