Re: Pakistan Team - developments and news (merged)
Its official ----ICC gives clearance for Sami and Arafat…
Pakistan duo cleared to play](http://home.skysports.com/cwc/article.aspx?hlid=452744&CPID=491&clid=1214&lid=4161&title=Pakistan+duo+cleared+to+play)
Pakistan have been given official clearance from the International Cricket Council (ICC) to include fast bowler Mohammad Sami and all-rounder Yasir Arafat in their World Cup squad.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had called up Sami and Arafat as replacements for Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar, who they said had failed to overcome their injury problems.
Sami and Arafat headed out to the Caribbean on Tuesday from Pakistan but the PCB were still awaiting for their officials clearance to come through.
PCB director of cricket operations Saleem Altaf says that clearance from the ICC has now been received for the two men, who will join up with the squad on Thursday.
“We have clearance from the ICC technical committee to replace Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif,” said Altaf.
Although there were still lingering doping worries surrounding both Shoaib and Asif, the PCB insisted their withdrawal was down to injury concerns and their medical reports have been accepted by the ICC.
Pakistan started their build-up with a victory over Canada, and Sami and Arafat could be involved in their final warm-up match against South Africa on Friday. Hosts West Indies are Pakistan’s first opponents in the World Cup as they open the tournament on March 13.