Pak sports minister dismissed after India tirade

Hours after his tirade against the Indian cricket administrators on Thursday, Pakistan's sports minister Aftab Shah Jillani was dismissed by the central government.

An announcement said Ejaz Hussain Jakhrani would assume charge as the new sports minister, having previously held the position of health minister.

"Ejaz Hussain Jakhrani will replace Aftab Shah Jillani as sports minister. Jillani has been appointed as Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination," a government official said.

No reason was given for the change in guard but in the last few days, Jillani had been critical of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Indian Premier League, terming their attitude towards Pakistani players and Pakistan cricket as insulting.

He told the media that the Pakistan Cricket Board needed to review its policy of allowing players to go to India for the IPL and said he had concerns about the safety of players in India.

Jillani's comments came on the day the Indian government also gave clearance for issuance of visas to four Pakistani players for the IPL.