Waqar happy Pakistan players not part of IPL

E-Paper | March 12, 2026

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Waqar Younis. -Photo by AP

WELLINGTON: Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis is more than happy for his players to be missing from the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament.

Aside from the first IPL tournament in 2008, Pakistanis have been shut out of the league, though the exact reasoning remains unclear.

“It's not good for cricketers, I guess, because they are losing out on the financial side, but I always think that, in a way, it helps Pakistan cricket because we can concentrate more on international cricket,” Waqar said.

He added: “The money side of (IPL) is huge. As long as players are keen and they want to do well and respect the fact that they are playing for their country, it's fine with me.

“It's affecting some (countries) and it doesn't seem to be affecting others ... but I'm happy with way things are because our boys are a lot fresher and they really want to do well for Pakistan.”—Agencies

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Zia

Jan 13, 2011 04:00pm

It is good that players will focus on National side but it takes away their financial and learning opportunities to become a world class professional. Till the time Pakistan players participation issues are resolved, ICC should ban IPL because one of its member country players cannot participate. This is fair for the players and for game of cricket.

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lovePakistan

Jan 14, 2011 03:08am

That is called "angoor khatee".

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andy

Jan 14, 2011 06:03am

Thats good coach understands how to take advantage of this situation and keep moral of team high. At the end of day IPL is Indian league and its totally upto Indian franchises to select players for their purpose. Its not love or hate its purely loss or profit. So I hope Pakistani people will take positive note and move on. Also regardless of relation at political level we love some of your good players.

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Riaz

Jan 14, 2011 05:04pm

Andy, are you saying IPL is only about Profit and Loss, do you seriously beleive that!!. So are you suggesting Umar Gul, Afridi, Razaq, Shoaib will not help the sale of tickets!! Did you watch ICL league when it was operating, obviously not? Please live in a real world. What I am saying is that we i.e Paksitani players need to take a positive spin from this and use it as a motivator and not as a negative thing..

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andy

Jan 16, 2011 05:32am

Zia my friend with polite words I would like to realize you something. Full-form of IPL is Indian(not international or Pakistan or any other country) Premier League so leave to Indians franchises whom to select. Anyways this is the problem with people from sub continent they are not ready accept any other perspective than their own.

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