Indian players to be extended PPL invite: Zaka Ashraf

PCB chief trying hard to resume normalcy in Pak-Ind relations.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Premier League (PPL) looks a distant possibility – the planning is kept behind closed doors and the dates are not fixed yet. However,  Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Zaka Ashraf has confirmed that an invite will be sent out to Indian players for the event’s maiden edition.

“It’s up to them whether they want to take part or not but the PCB will send out an invitation,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune. “My aim is to do whatever I can to put the relations between the two boards back on track because the fans want to see Pakistan and India in action.”

Meanwhile, Ashraf blasted the Punjab government and said the unwanted interference – bringing down a wall of Gaddafi Stadium – could harm Pakistan’s image and also the prospects of holding PPL matches in the province.

“Politics should be kept separate from sports because it’ll hurt Pakistan’s image. We are trying to launch the revival of international cricket here and the Punjab government is doing such things. We can’t even think of hosting an international team or a league match in Punjab in the current scenario.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2012.