Snubbing Pakistan players will harm the IPL: Akram
No Pakistan player was included in the list of 416 cricketers, issued by the IPL.
KARACHI:
Former captain Wasim Akram has said snubbing Pakistan players for the fourth edition of the Indian Premier (IPL) is not only a setback to them but will also be harmful for the lucrative event. The former left-arm fast bowler felt that Pakistan players, who did not feature in the auction list for the IPL’s fourth edition, are an exciting attraction in the Twenty20 format and ignoring them would lose viewership of the tournament that starts in April next year.
“There’s no doubt about the popularity of Pakistan players when it comes to this format. The event will lose a lot of followers without players like Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq,” Akram told reporters.
No Pakistan player was included in the list of 416 cricketers, issued by the IPL, whose services would be auctioned next month. And while the IPL officials claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) failed to provide the list of its players – which is the rule – the Pakistan board argued that they did not receive any message from the IPL Organising Committee or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in this regard.
Akram said there was miscommunication between the two boards and to some extent incompetency of the PCB that kept Pakistan players out of the league once again after the 2009 and 2010 editions.“There was miscommunication but the PCB should have initiated and forced the inclusion of its players. This shows a lack of vision among the PCB officials.”
PCB should be strict on discipline
In the meantime, Akram said the PCB should maintain a strict policy on discipline.
“The PCB should be strict and punish players for discipline breach,” said Akram while referring to disciplinary issues being reported in the ongoing Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.
Yousuf must prove fitness
Meanwhile, the former captain advised batsman Mohammad Yousuf to prove his form and fitness rather than criticising the selectors or the board.
“Yousuf is claiming he is fit. If he is, he should prove it in front of the selectors. He is an elegant batsman and can serve the country.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 23rd, 2010.
Former captain Wasim Akram has said snubbing Pakistan players for the fourth edition of the Indian Premier (IPL) is not only a setback to them but will also be harmful for the lucrative event. The former left-arm fast bowler felt that Pakistan players, who did not feature in the auction list for the IPL’s fourth edition, are an exciting attraction in the Twenty20 format and ignoring them would lose viewership of the tournament that starts in April next year.
“There’s no doubt about the popularity of Pakistan players when it comes to this format. The event will lose a lot of followers without players like Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq,” Akram told reporters.
No Pakistan player was included in the list of 416 cricketers, issued by the IPL, whose services would be auctioned next month. And while the IPL officials claimed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) failed to provide the list of its players – which is the rule – the Pakistan board argued that they did not receive any message from the IPL Organising Committee or the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in this regard.
Akram said there was miscommunication between the two boards and to some extent incompetency of the PCB that kept Pakistan players out of the league once again after the 2009 and 2010 editions.“There was miscommunication but the PCB should have initiated and forced the inclusion of its players. This shows a lack of vision among the PCB officials.”
PCB should be strict on discipline
In the meantime, Akram said the PCB should maintain a strict policy on discipline.
“The PCB should be strict and punish players for discipline breach,” said Akram while referring to disciplinary issues being reported in the ongoing Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.
Yousuf must prove fitness
Meanwhile, the former captain advised batsman Mohammad Yousuf to prove his form and fitness rather than criticising the selectors or the board.
“Yousuf is claiming he is fit. If he is, he should prove it in front of the selectors. He is an elegant batsman and can serve the country.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 23rd, 2010.