CHITTAGONG: South African paceman Wayne Parnell has been released from World Twenty20 duties in Chittagong to appear in court in India on drug charges, team management said on Wednesday.
He is due to appear in court in Mumbai on Thursday on charges linked to a late-night party after an Indian Premier League (IPL) game in 2012, during his stint at the Pune Warriors.
Parnell was among nearly 100 people detained for medical testing after the party at an upmarket Mumbai hotel was raided by police, who found drugs at the premises.
He denies any wrongdoing.
South African team manager Mohammed Moosajee said the decision to make 24-year-old Parnell available for Thursday's hearing was made before the World Twenty20.
"We were made aware before the World Twenty20 that Wayne would have to travel to India to appear in court as a matter of procedure and we have made provision for this in our planning," Moosajee said in a statement.
"It's unfortunate to lose him for a game in the middle of an important tournament... but we must respect the law. Furthermore, Wayne has expressed no wrongdoing so we hope that the case can be concluded as soon as possible."
Team management said Parnell would rejoin the squad ahead of South Africa's match against England on Saturday but will not be available for Thursday's game against the Netherlands.
The left-handed paceman has so far played four Tests, 33 one-dayers and 26 Twenty20 internationals for his country.
He has taken 25 Twenty20 wickets and scored 102 runs, but has not played in either of South Africa's two matches so far in the ongoing World Twenty20.
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