Karachi, Dec. 25: A senior Pakistani cricket official on Saturday blamed India for the exclusion of Pakistan’s players from next year’s lucrative Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.
Subhan Ahmed, chief operating officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), claimed that India did not respond to queries about the participation of Pakistani players. “We asked them about the participation of Pakistani players, but they did not give any response,” he told reporters. “From our end all the documentation that is needed, we undertake to provide them, whether that is permissions or no-objection certificates.”
He said Pakistan wanted its players to participate in the contest, which is a financial bonanza for those who take part, but added: “(Pakistanis) playing or not in this event is not in our hands.” The PCB’s response came after an Indian Premier League (IPL) official said on Tuesday that no Pakistani cricketers were on a list of 416 players for next month’s auction for the fourth edition of the tournament, which is to be held in April and May next year.
“The rules stipulate that a player must apply through his home board if he wanted to be put up for the auction. No names were received from Pakistan,” Ratnakar Shetty said. —