MOHALI: Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who is now a British citizen, has finally got an Indian visa and would be joining his IPL team Kings XI Punjab soon, skipper Adam Gilchrist said.
“I have just been told that he has received a visa,” Gilchrist, whose side beat Pune Warriors on Thursday, told reporters.
Gilchrist, who is also the team’s coach, said Azhar (37) should be joining the side soon and “that would be nice”.
On Wednesday when Gilchrist had been asked about the status of Azhar, who was picked up by KXIP at this year’s players’ auction in joining the team, he had said, “It’s up to the government because he is not getting his visa at the moment.
“We bought a player we were told was available for every game and we are still unable to access our player. It’s not in our hands.”
Azhar, who has featured in 21 Tests and 143 ODIs for Pakistan, was bought by KXIP for $200,000 but had not been able to play in the IPL as he had not been given the Indian visa.
The Punjab team are hoping to bolster their bowling and batting attack with Azhar’s presence as they are also without English pacer Stuart Broad, who has been ruled out because of injury. Azhar will be the only Pakistani player to feature in this season’s IPL.—Agencies
Dear visitor, the comments section is undergoing an overhaul and will return soon.