Summary Both ex-Pakistani cricketers are in India as part of Star Sports’ commentary team for Ind-SA series.
(Web Desk / AFP) – Amid threats from Indian extremist group Shiv Sena, Pakistani commentators Waseem Akram and Shoaib Akhtar are unlikely to be available for the fifth one-day international (ODI) between India and South Africa in Mumbai on Sunday.
According to sources, the former Pakistani cricketers will leave India after fourth ODI in Chennai on Friday.
The decision was taken a day after dozens of Shiv Sena fanatics stormed the headquarters of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and shouted anti-Pakistan slogans. They demanded that BCCI president Shashank Manohar cancel talks with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan that were planned in Mumbai on Monday.
Later, the talks were rescheduled for Tuesday in New Delhi.
Pakistan are due to host India for a full tour in the United Arab Emirates in December -- one of six series the arch-rivals agreed to play between 2015 and 2023 under an agreement signed last year -- pending New Delhi s clearance.
Soon after the attack on BCCI office in Mumbai, the International Cricket Council (ICC) also withdrew Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar from the remainder of a limited-overs series between India and South Africa after Shiv Sena extremists threatened to prevent him from officiating in the last game.
The ICC decision also put an immediate question mark on India s ability to safely host the World T20 event next year.
PAK-INDIA RELATIONS
Relations between Pakistan and India have been strained, with continued border ceasefire violations from both sides, leading to the cancellation of a meeting between their security advisers in August.
Monday s protest came a week after Shiv Sena activists threw ink over the organiser of the launch in Mumbai of a book by former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri.
The Shiv Sena, a junior partner in a ruling coalition with the BJP in the Maharashtra state government, opposes any dealings with Pakistan.
Shiva Sena earlier this month threatened to force the cancellation of an appearance in Mumbai by Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali.
