51
Pakistan, having completed a convincing ODI-series win in India, are set to take on the mighty South Africans in what promises to be a grueling Test and limited-overs tour.
But while the focus of the Pakistani cricketers and fans alike has been on Graeme Smith’s men, various reports say that the top T20 stars from the country may yet again face an IPL blackout.
Gautam Bhattacharyya, writing for Gulf News, said: “What may have escaped the notice of cricket fans is the U-turn of Indian cricket board on the issue of allowing Pakistani players to take part in the IPL after a gap of four years.
“It was in the last week of December that the IPL governing council quietly issued a diktat to all the franchises not to go for players from Pakistan — despite earlier verbal assurances from the IPL chairman and positive vibes in the wake of the BCCI allowing Sialkot Stallions from that country to take part in the Champions League T-20.”
According to Bhattacharyya, the decision was taken well in advance of Pakistan’s tour to India and certainly did not come as a result of the fallout between the two countries over recent border tensions.
The subtle move by the governing council of the IPL, it seems, drowned in the anticipation of the Pakistan-India series that was played in front of jam-packed stadiums and kept fans transfixed.
There is no doubt that players like Junaid Khan, Nasir Jamshed, Saeed Ajmal and even Mohammad Irfan would offer greater pull for Indian crowds after their performance in that series but according to Times of India they have so far not been included in the auction list.
“There is no problem buying Pakistan cricketers in the auction, but somehow there was no move from anywhere to include them for the auction,” a franchisee owner told Times of India.
An official decision on the inclusion of Pakistan players is yet to be taken by the BCCI and with the auction set to take place on February 3, 2013, in Chennai, their fate hangs in the balance.
At present, Pakistan’s top cricketers will be focused on tackling Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and company, but they will be keeping one eye on developments in India after having been barred from the Bangladesh Premier League.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (51) Closed
Jan 28, 2013 04:06pm
to be really honest i am happy that they are not allowed in IPL, it's a blessing in disguise and i don't want them to play in BPL, but that's just me, i can't tell them to play or not to play in any league :-/
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 04:26pm
Even if they could, I hope they don't. Indian Govt have treated our players so pathetically over the last 5 years, why should they sign up for it ? All sports domains have been used by India as a political tool against Pakistani players - who have nothing to do with politics, terrorism or ethnic divisions etc etc.
Go PSL - there is plenty of money to be made at home now, Promote Pakistani talent at home !
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 09:40am
the decision was taken before the india pakistn series read the srticle again
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 04:38pm
Before BCCI announces rejection of Pakistani players (which they will or there will be no bid on them even if allowed in auction) for participation in IPL-6 PCB should immediately impose ban and save our faces.
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 04:45pm
NO and we should not be asking that question every year. They cant even land in Pakistan without the fear of being shot.
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 05:12pm
I knew it would have happened after India lost the series.
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 05:22pm
So what??? its ok.. life goes on...
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 05:23pm
Given the current state of cold hostility between India and Pakistan, it will be suicidal for the Indian Government and the owners of the IPL cricket teams to get Pakistani cricket players into India to play in the IPL league. 2013 and 2014 are election years in India and the Government will not want any section of the public to turn hostile by allowing Pakistani cricketers to play in the IPL matches. Pakistani cricketers have always wanted to play in the IPL given the large amount of money they could earn for just two months "work". If they are that keen to make money, they should prevail on their army to call off its hostile actions that have resulted in the present standoff.
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 05:34pm
No Pakistani will ever be allowed to play in India
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 09:38am
nair why make such hate able comments?
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 05:59pm
Other than money, 20/20 is a deadly poison for test cricket and producing class players. A very short 20/20 tournament as planned PSL will not cause any damage but a long tournament like IPL is to be avoided. No wonder Pak team is progressing and Indians are going downhill. There will be enough money for Pak players from PSL and more in coming years, so please stay away from IPL. Cricket Australia has blocked its players from IPL for the same reason. There will not be much to watch without Pak, Australians, English and other top players in the world.
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 09:32am
No bro i think let the narrow mindedness of BCCI win...!
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 06:39pm
Hi oz
Did India asked to shoot srilankan team? Why blame India for you own shortcomings?
BTW Hafeez did played for Knightriders under the coach recommendation Wasim who is also
Pakistani, even before Hafeez got to play for Pakistan. He tour with Knight Riders team.
So instead of blaming only India check and see your house.
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 06:46pm
And what if BCCI agrees to let them in?
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 08:05pm
This is funny
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 08:20pm
Actually soon after Mumbai attacks, PCB had barred Pakistan players from playing in IPL.
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 08:46pm
I feel more than glad our players don't get to play in IPL...I mean come to think of it, IPL has ruined Indian cricket !
Go PSL you'll rock !
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 09:24pm
Even more motivation for the nation as a whole to make PSL a success. I would also love one of your national stars, such as Afridi, to publicly declare the Pakistani Players lives don't revolve on the IPL and that they are content in just beating India continually, such like the last ODI Tour. It is a shame they use sports as their marquee political ploy
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 09:40pm
PCB made the worst historical decision for not going to Dhaka for Bangladesh Premier League. It disappointed millions of fans in BD.
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 11:07am
Sir, the grapes are sour.
BNA
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 10:41pm
No Pakistani welcome in IPL
Recommend
0
Jan 28, 2013 10:41pm
Let Pakistan develop its own league. IPL is better without Pakistani players.
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 10:49am
Let's simply look at the numbers beacuse they are never biased. In the last one year which team has improved the most in all formats? Pakistan. Which means all other teams have deteriorated or at best improved less than Pakistan. Players from which country did not participate in IPL? Pakistan.
Conclusion, playing in the IPL means contributing to negative growth of the team.
I rest my case.
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 01:00am
hahahahahai
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 02:39am
I think Pakistani cricketers should have been allowed to play in BPL and all matches that they can. They are one of the lowest paid cricketers and with no matches being played in Pakistan, they should have the freedom to earn where they can.
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 12:30pm
It is pure business and the game's popularity is being exploited to make money. I rarely see any match on the TV, because I am so angry at the way cricket bodies fleece the Indian fans and the public. A cricketer is a commodity and if those who are taken in auction don't perform they lose their dignity. Business doesn't depend on the quality of the commodity but the profit that can be made even without it. Why should Pakistani players or any player bother about the yearly Indian Tamasha!
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 04:04am
in the battle between money and self esteem, money always wins ... at least for us Pakistanis
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 05:11am
Believe me you can't. Your players will be queued up here without any reason and they will be terminated for the valuable reason.
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 05:37am
Results of INDIA vs PAK series show that Pakistani players should stay out of the IPL
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 06:26am
Why such obsession with IPL? Time and again both India and Pakistan leave no chance to belittle each other (cricketers being no exception) and BCCI is official scapegoat for PCB for not getting international matches. Yet, Pakistani players want to play in IPL. What happened, sirs, dollars overtaking your hatred for India??
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 07:40am
As a cricket fan I would love to see Pakistan players into action in IPL but people of Pakistan should understand that hospitality & hostility can't go together. Instead of blaming BCCI or Indian govt, Please blame your govt if Pakistan players are not allowed into IPL.
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 07:46am
Even if the IPL / BCCI do invite Pakistani players, PCB should thankfully refuse.
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 08:28am
Pak players should themselves refrain from going for the IPL, Snub IPL before they snub you. We should have enough self dignity to deny the Indians their pettiness. Pak players have survived last four years without IPL so it should not be a problem. I for one never watch this circus on TV as it is such a ridiculous affair,
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 09:15am
IPL is the smartest way to make legal money for good criketers in the world but it havily influence to fitness & performance of the criketers........PSL may be a good oppertunity for Pakistani criketers who have been deprived from the IPL......PSL succecessfl or not at least a good step....may be very successful after 2014,why because peace in Afghanistan has a chance after 2014..
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 01:05pm
And how do you think PSL will be any different in terms of its impact on the game and players in Pakistan?
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 01:11pm
So you mean IPL will ruin the players but PSL wont? Whats the logic behind your statement?
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 01:37pm
Indians wont like to pay Paki players to come to their country and trash their sub standard local talent. Better focus on PSL, our boys don't need IPL to prove anything.
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 01:39pm
Lols, enjoy substandard cricket :)
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 03:08pm
We don't need IPL. PSL is destined to be a much bigger, and a hugely attractive event. PCB did not even want the series with India, but it was at the request of BCCI and Govt of India that we agreed to play in India.
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 06:32pm
Dear dawn you are really mysterious:8-)
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 09:59am
Why are we attaching so much importance with IPL? Is it matter of death or life for Pakistan or for Pakistani player for that matter? Unfortunately India has made the game of cricket as political issue and ruined the spirit of the game, but this is their decision, why should we be so much concerned about the auction of Pakistani player. It can be important issue for Shoiba Malik for obvious reason but for other players it shoud not really matter too much. Let us focus on cricket Pakistan will play in SA and other crickets which is going to be played around the world and leave the Indian to settle their own scores.
Recommend
0
Jan 30, 2013 09:57am
Hooooo...hhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaa......heeeeeeeeeee...good one yar !!!!!!
Recommend
0
Jan 30, 2013 05:29am
@ sam : we are the world champions till 2015
Recommend
0
Jan 30, 2013 12:40pm
Can you please tell us which Muslim countries have cricket teams?
Recommend
0
Jan 30, 2013 03:33am
Muslims should play with Muslims in Muslim countries.
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 11:46pm
@Khalid...Thats not a guarantee in Pakistan !
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 11:26pm
Please answer me honestly to my question. Given a chance to play in IPL or PSL where will the pakistani players play and any one tournament must be choosen?
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 11:12pm
Ok then IPL format will be changed and it will be for 5 day test match and will be played by 12 teams for 6 months. Happy?
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 10:57pm
great mind and brains you have
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 10:58pm
Both India and Pakistan did not qualify for super 8 in 2007 world cup. Then India started IPL in 2008 and went on to win 2011 world cup. I rest my case.
Recommend
0
Jan 29, 2013 11:01pm
There is no battle at all it is money always.
Recommend
0
