ICC will fine us if Pakistan pull out: PCB chief

Lahore, Feb 18 (IANS) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan on Thursday said the International Cricket Council (ICC) will impose a fine on them if their team pulls out of the World Twenty20 to be held in India in March-April.

Khan made it clear that Pakistan's decision of participation in the showpiece T20 event is awaiting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's approval and the ICC has not threatened them with any legal action.

"I just spoke to the Prime Minister's secretariat today, and as of now, the government has not given us clearance to send the team to India for the World T20. If we pull out our team from the World T20 then we will have to pay a penalty to the ICC," Shahryar Khan was quoted as saying by Express Tribune.

The 81-year-old did not disclose the amount of the fine.

"All these stories about the ICC threatening the board 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.

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are scheduled to go head-to-head in the World T20 in Dharamsala on March 19.

The tournament will be staged across eight venues in India from March 8 to April 3. A total of 58 matches -- 35 men's and 23 women's -- will be played during the 27-day tournament.