May 27, 2008	Tuesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 21, 1429

LAHORE, May 26: Former skipper Javed Miandad has said that the Pakistan version of the Indian Premier League may be detrimental to the game in the country.

Pakistan, inspired by the success of the BCCI initiated IPL, is set to launch their own version of the tournament in their domestic scene. Even Australia has plans to begin an IPL inspired tourney.

Miandad, however, has warned the PCB that this sort of a competition which churns in big money might destroy Pakistan cricket by bringing down the quality of cricket.

”The involvement of too much money will destroy the game of cricket. It (IPL) lacks quality and a cricketer can never get the confidence he needs as a player. Even the greatest of bowlers cannot do anything about conceding sixes and fours,” said Miandad.

Miandad opined that the quality of cricket was going down and Pakistan should only look at playing quality opponents to sustain the high standard of the game. “One reason for this is that talented players are not being groomed properly. Also, we are not playing against high ranking teams and competing with the weaker sides which doesn’t improve your game,” Miandad stated.

”It is contesting against quality teams like Australia and India that your potential is truly put to the test. But this is not the case at present,” added the 50-year old.—Agencies