Rajiv Shukla, the senior functionary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), took over the top IPL post last week and said that the league’s management will keep its options open on recruiting foreign players including Pakistanis.
Several Pakistan stars played the inaugural edition of the tournament but were later snubbed due to a fallout between the two governments in the aftermaths of Mumbai attack in 2008.
Since then Pakistan cricketers have expressed their desire to play the tournament on numerous occasions with former captain Shahid Afridi making the latest call, which came after the World Cup semi-finals between the arch-rivals.
Stars like Afridi and Umar Gul came close to featuring in the 2010 edition and were part of the auction before being ignored by the franchises resulting in massive criticism from the players as well as the cricket fraternity in Pakistan. However, after receiving a cold shoulder, there seems to be hope this time around.
“Pakistan players are not banned to play the IPL,” Shukla told The Express Tribune. “We have been hiring the services of Pakistan umpires and referees and there is a possibility of their players returning to the IPL. We are keeping our options open.”
He said the issue of recruiting Pakistan players will be discussed in future meetings.
“We will consider Pakistan cricketers for the 2012 IPL in our body’s meetings that are held regularly.”
Meanwhile, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official felt the fate of the country’s players depends upon the revival of bilateral series between the two countries.
“It’s a positive gesture,” said the official.
“If there’s a development on the bilateral series’ front then the IPL and the Champions League become secondary matters.
“Cricketing ties between the two countries are improving and we are hoping or a breakthrough.”
While both countries have shown eagerness to revive the series next year, it has not been confirmed due to a deadlock on decisions regarding schedule and venue of the series.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2011.
COMMENTS (9)
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i dont think there is any need for the Pakistani Cricketers to join IPL. Several top cricketers (other than Pakistanis) have refused to play in the IPL. Just look what IPL has brought to India, a humiliating series white-wash in England. Tired cricketers cant win matches for you but fresh legs can. Its a menace and if our cricketers are staying away from it for whatever the reason there may be, its a blessing in disguise.
All Pak players should refuse to join the scam commonly known as the IPL. Our Test cricket will suffer too so please lets focus more on ODIs and Test matches for our national players. I also dont see the point of one off T20 matches glued to a Test/ODI series. What a joke!
@Enlightened Unmoderated: and others who think IPL is not popular
The World doesn't revolve around Pakistan they say!
IPL is getting richer every year. Its a festive season during the months of IPL here in India. Pakistanis have only featured in 1 season of IPL, 3 have not had them and have only gotten better.
Pakistanis had initially refused to come to play IPL for a tit-for-tat response for India canceling its tour of Pakistan. Now, every year Shahid Afridi says IPL should include them too!
Anyway, Cricket and Movies are India's favourite pastimes and that will probably never change in my lifetime, which is a good thing.
Part of the deal set during the Mohali Semi Final!
No, no please don't join this IPL trash. It's nothing but garbage
Umeed, you are dead right. We just don't know what our priorities are. On the other hand the inclusion of Pakistani players will do the IPL a lot of good too, in terms of popularity and standard of the matches. And it will help build better relations with India.
They need our players to light up their events. Champions League is dying a slow death. Interest in IPL is also waning. We should negotiate complete resumption of cricket ties including bi-lateral series, IPL and CL. It's all or nothing. Don't let the BCCI pick and choose what suits them.
Umeed par hi duniya kayam hain! :) It will only take one 'good' Samaritan from Pakistan, 'to make the hopes go up in smokes'. Quiet literally!