June 13, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 08, 1429

KARACHI, June 12: Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday claimed that one team from Pakistan would also be seen in action at the $5 million Champions League, slated to be held later this year.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) management and the England and Wales Cricket Board have announced that the Champions League would be held around September with the domestic Twenty20 champions from India, South Africa, Australia and England taking part.

There was no mention of any Pakistani team participating in it but Dr Ashraf told reporters that the domestic T20 champions would play in the event.

"It is not correct that Pakistan is not in the Champions League. When the idea of this event was discussed in Mumbai sometime back I was there and the Indian Board, specifically the IPL governing body invited Pakistan to send one team for the championship," Ashraf said.

Pakistan was one of the main supporters of the IPL when it was launched last year with the support of Australia, England and South Africa.

Sources within the board also confirmed that senior officials were in touch with the IPL officials to find out the status of Pakistan in the Champions League.

"The PCB officials were not very happy when they saw the announcement conveniently ignoring Pakistan's contribution or participation, specially since the Board was one of the big supporters of the IPL and did its best to discourage the rebel Indian Cricket League," one source said.

Sources said Dr Ashraf was due to take up the issue with BCCI officials when he visits Dhaka on Saturday to witness the final of the tri-series between India and Pakistan.—Agencies