Local officials refused to stop him playing with the Indian team.

"Azhar is invited by Pakistan Senior Cricket Board (PSCB) and it's up to Indian cricket authorities to stop or allow him play," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan told AFP, rejecting any link with the series.

"The seniors board is operating itself and we have just supported them by allowing them to use the facilities at various grounds," he said.

Azharuddin, banned for life on match-fixing charges in 2005, is leading an Indian seniors side scheduled to play four one-day matches against their Pakistani counterparts.

Another former Indian player Manoj Prabhakar, who has completed a five-year ban for match-fixing, is part of the 14-man squad.

However, former Pakistan captain Salim Malik, who was barred after a separate inquiry here, has not been allowed to take part.

"We have not permitted Malik to feature in this series which comes in our domain," said Khan.

Malik lashed out at the Pakistan cricket authorities, accusing them of double standards.

"I have nothing to do with who is playing and who is not, but it's disappointing that there are dual policies in cricket," Malik told AFP.

"It's unfortunate that my career came to an abrupt end and my appeal against the life ban is still pending. I demand that I be allowed to play at seniors' level," he said.

Indian Seniors' first match is here on Sunday, followed by matches in Sialkot (April 25), Sheikhupura (April 27) and Lahore on April (30).