The only Pakistani in the IPL
First 11 Pakistani players, including star all-rounder Shahid Afridi, went unsold in the January 19 auction in Mumbai, prompting angry reactions in Pakistan. Now Indian Home minister Chidambaram has said the decision to exclude Pakistan players was a "disservice" to the game. This is a turn round from the previous position- according to IPL sources-of the Indian government.
Approached in mid-December about the inclusion of Pakistani players by the BCCI who were liasing for the IPL, the Indian government is said to have been unable to give guarantees.
Thus the IPL teams ignored Pakistan players on auction as there was no certainty that the players would get visas and other clearances. But Home Minister Chidambaram has said "to suggest that there was a hint or nudge from the government is completely untrue."
Since then auction fiasco has snowballed into a diplomatic row between the two countries.
Retaliating to the snub at the IPL auction, the Pakistan Cricket Board PCB revoked all the No Objection Certificates issued to its players for participation in the third edition of the Twenty20 event.
Where the truth lies in all of this is hard to discern but Pakistan's ire is centred on one man for now: Lalit Modi. Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, has said he blames Modi for the problems "because he gave me promises and assurances and then ditched us".
On the back foot, Modi declared a few Pakistanis could still play in IPL-3 if some players in the teams pull out. There's a possibility that Razzaq may play for a team in IPL-3.
Abdul Razzaq claims "a one-year contract with KKR is ready, I have been told, but the IPL's clearance is needed first."
In an interview to NDTV the former Indian captain said "We have spoken to Razzaq for a very long time, we wanted him in the team but will wait for the IPL rules. The issue of Pakistani players is between the IPL and government. We shall have to wait for the rules."
The Pakistani Cricket Board has softened and says Razzaq's can take part. PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said "we never had objections." This statement is in complete contrast with all Butt has said before. It will be interesting to see if Razzaq makes it to Kolkata Knight Riders this season. Will Abdul Razzaq be the only Pakistani in the IPL?
Source & Picture: http://www.cricket.co.uk
