Cricket: New IPL chief gives fresh hopes to Pakistan players

Shukla says snubbed cricketers will be considered for next year’s edition.

KARACHI: Deprived of lucrative earnings and thrilling Twenty20 action, Pakistan players have received fresh hopes from the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) new commissioner who has given a positive response on the possibility of including the country’s players.

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 27^th,  2011.