By Omar Khalid
Karachi, Nov 24 (IANS) Pakistan’s cricket authorities have sought the government’s permission for players’ participation in the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), but sports minister Aftab Jilani fears that it might be too late.

Jilani said in an interview Tuesday that the sports ministry has received a request from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for no objection certificates (NOCs) for players in the IPL.

“The PCB has requested for NOCs before November 30,” said Jilani, a senior leader of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). “We have sent the request to foreign and interior ministry for their clearance on players’ participation in IPL,” he added.

Several leading Pakistani players including Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi, all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Misbah-ul-Haq are hoping to play in the next edition of the IPL.

Pakistani cricketers missed this year’s IPL because of strained Pakistan-India relations following last November’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

Jilani said that the players might face some problems in confirming their participation in the lucrative Twenty20 league as there isn’t enough time to obtain NOCs for them.

“I think it would be difficult for us to give NOCs before the deadline as PCB has sent a late request,” he said.

The IPL’s trading window for the 2010 season has been set between Nov 23 and Jan 5. The window allows the eight teams to buy and sell players already contracted with IPL teams. An auction will be conducted in Mumbai Jan 19 next year to bring in fresh players with each franchisee granted a purse of $750,000.