KOLKATA, Feb. 1: Amidst the ongoing brouhaha over the snub to Pakistan’s cricketers for the third edition of Indian Premier League, former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin backed the inclusion of players likes Abdul Razzaq and Shahid Afridi in the upcoming T20 extravaganza.
He said that nationality should take a backseat when the best players are expected to participate in such a high-profile tournament. "A tournament of IPL’s stature should comprise of the best players irrespective of their nationality. It doesn’t matter whether these players represent Australia, India or any other country. Quality is all that matters," Azharuddin said on the sidelines of a rally here on Monday.
He, however, added that he was not advocating his thoughts as a Congress MP. "This shouldn’t have happened. Everyone deserves an opportunity. In future, the best must have their due share."
The apparent snub to Pakistani players by the franchises at the January 19 auction had an impact on Indo-Pak diplomatic relations that have been vulnerable ever since the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. In addition, the Pakistan Cricket Board too as an act of retaliation to the snub revoked the no objection certificates to its players for the month-long event.
On the India-South Africa Test series that kicks off from Saturday in Nagpur, Azharuddin believed the hosts had a decent chance even though they would be without Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh. "Yes, India have to do without Dravid and Yuvraj. But in spite of the duo’s absence, I think we still very much have the firepower to upstage the Proteas," he said.
AGE CORRESPONDENT