Karachi: The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) governing body meeting on 14th October will decide on the issue of Pakistani players’ participation in next year’s IPL.
Rajiv Shukla, IPL’s chairman, was quoted by Press Trust of India (PTI) as doubts remained over whether the Pakistani players, none of whom have played in the IPL since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, would again be able to participate in next year’s event.
Eleven Pakistani players were in the auction list for IPL’s third season in 2010, but none of them were picked up by any of the franchises. Uncertainty over diplomatic relations between the two countries, and hence the availability of the Pakistani players, was cited as the main issue by some franchises.
“This decision has to be taken by the Governing Council. It is not that Pakistan as a country has been banned in IPL,” said Shukla.
“Their (Pakistani) referees' services have been utilized. Some franchises have taken Pakistani former players as coaches also and supporting staff as well. So it is not that Pakistan as a whole has been banned or something. There is no question of banning anyone.”
However, he insisted the final decision of picking up the Pakistani players remained with the franchises.
“About Pakistani players, it is purely up to the franchises to decide whether they want to take Pakistani players or not. And we have to keep certain considerations in mind before deciding about it.”
On the issue of resuming cricketing ties with Pakistan, Shukla stressed that the problem of security and scheduling had to be solved first.
“We have worked together. The question is about the circumstances and certain issues ... in terms of security. Those issues are to be sorted out. Then only, we can think of it.
“At the same time, there is no slot available. If there is slot available, then all these things can be discussed. Everybody wants cricket ties to be revived, to be resumed but slot has to be there to resume the ties.”
The idea of playing on neutral venues did not hold much appeal to him either.
“The atmosphere should be congenial because I am of the view that we should play on each others' soil instead of playing at a third venue. There is no point on playing at a third venue.”