Star players likely to miss local Twenty20 event

Razzaq, Riaz, Gul may skip tournament due to county commitments.

KARACHI:

Deprived of international cricket amid worsening security situation in the country, avid cricket fans are now likely to miss quality action on their home soil due to the non-availability of star national players for the upcoming Super Eight T20 Cup in Faisalabad.

It has been learnt that several players, who are busy playing the Friends Life T20 in England, have so far not shown their availability for the much-awaited local tournament to be played from June 24 to June 31.

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq is hooked with Leicestershire while left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz has recently joined the Kent side. Meanwhile, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (Worcestershire), young talent Junaid Khan (Lancashire) and seasoned fast-bowler Umar Gul (Sussex) are also set to join their counties shortly.

Apart from these players, Twenty20 specialists – discards Rana Navedul Hasan and Yasir Arafat – are also playing in the England tournament that will conclude late August.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who was named to lead the Karachi Dolphins earlier, is already a doubtful starter for the tournament due to a dispute with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“We’re not informed about the participation of these players,” a PCB official told The Express Tribune. “According to their regional teams, these players may not take part in the tournament.

“Since the tournament doesn’t involve departments, players don’t feel the need to fulfil their regional commitments.”

Right to ask players to return

Although, all players playing in England have taken permission from the board, the PCB can still ask them to return, particularly the centrally-contracted players. This is more likely to happen if there is a clash between a national tournament and a foreign event.

Another official said the PCB will soon make a decision regarding calling the players back.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2011.