Dawood Ibrahim's relative Javed Miandad to visit Delhi during final India-Pakistan ODI on January 6

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) turned a new leaf incricketdiplomacy by granting visa to former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad, who shares close family ties with the India's most wanted gangster-turned-terroristDawood Ibrahim.

Miandad would arrive in India on January 5 to watch the third and final ODI between the two neighbours in New Delhi the next day. He would also be honoured during the last match.

In fact, the former skipper claimed that he had absolutely no problem in getting an Indian visa, which is normally a cumbersome process for citizens of either country.

It could be mentioned that Miandad's son Junaid is married to Dawood's daughter Mahrukh. The marriage with the daughter of the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts mastermind was solemnised under unprecedented security cover in Dubai in 2005.

Miandad reportedly did not come to India that year to watch an Indo-Pak series as he was advised that his visa request would be turned down. He is believed to have refused to cooperate with intelligence agencies.

Dawood is accused of waging war against India. The underworld don was charged by India for masterminding the 1993 serials blasts in Mumbai that claimed around 260 lives. He continues to run a dreaded crime syndicate called D-company which is quite active in India. He also finds mention in Interpol's list of wanted criminals for organised crime and counterfeiting.

Miandad currently holds the second most powerful position in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as its director general and reports directly to Chairman Zaka Ashraf.