Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shahryar Khan has admitted that if the national team was unable to participate in next month's WT20 in India, the body could be fined by the ICC.
Shahryar told the media in lahore that in case Pakistan pulls out of the World Cup, the PCB would have to pay a penalty to the world governing body of the sport. "I just spoke to the Prime Minister's secretariat today and until the government has not given clearance to send the team to India for the World T20," Shahryar said.
"All these stories about the ICC threatening us with legal action or the Prime Minister having cleared the tour are not correct.
"We have sought advice and clearance from the government to send our team to the World event. The Prime Minister's secretariat has said they are reviewing the situation and will let us know soon," he added.
"If we pull out our team from the World T20 then we will have to pay a penalty to the ICC," the PCB chief said without disclosing what the amount could be.
But a reliable source in the PCB told PTI that the government was likely to clear the tour to India.
"It is a routine protocol that the PCB is following but all the vibes from the government quarters is that prime minister Nawaz Sharif will give clearance for the team to go to India," the source said.
Shahryar said the Pakistan Super league had created the expected hype and given the interest it created at its launch, it is here to stay.
On Monday, the country's Cricket Board said it is not under any pressure from the ICC to send its team and a final decision remains solely dependent on government clearance.
no diff coaches for test, odi
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan has ruled out the possibility of appointing separate coaches for Test and limited overs cricket.
The PCB chief also assured national team's present coach Waqar Younis that he would continue as coach for all three formats of the game.
"There have been suggestions to have separate coaches for Test and limited overs cricket but this is not feasible in Pakistan cricket and we just need to fully support Waqar. We will have one coach for all formats," Shaharyar said.
The decision came after Shaharyar held a meeting with the national team coach Waqar.
"Waqar made some valid points and he is concerned about improving the team's performance. The PCB will back him completely," he said.
Waqar came under fire after Pakistan team's poor performance in recent months. Pakistan has slipped badly in ODI and T20 rankings in the last 12 months. Many former players and critics have also suggested that PCB should seriously consider the suggetion of a separate coach for each format.
The PCB chief said instead of thinking negatively there is a need to remain positive and plan for the team to improve its performances in ODIs and T20 matches.
Shaharyar also expressed happiness over the statement of former West Indian great Sir Vivian Richards that he would not turn down any coaching offer from Pakistan.
"We are very happy to hear this and we will definitely see how we can best utilise his services in Pakistan cricket," he said.