After the Indian government called off the cricket team’s tour of Pakistan in the wake of Mumbai 26/11, it was Pakistan’s turn to reciprocate.
Pakistan barred its cricketers from playing in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. IPL commissioner Lalit Modi confirmed at a press conference that no Pakistani player would take part in the upcoming edition and none of them — five were earlier shortlisted — would figure in the auction list. Eleven Pakistani players took part in the first edition of the league. Of them, four were with Kolkata Knight Riders, three with Team Jaipur while Delhi Daredevils had two players in Shoaib Malik and Mohd Asif. Both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Team Hyderabad had one Pakistani player each in their teams.
“Pakistan’s foreign office has advised national cricketers not to travel to India. This is something which is beyond our control,” Modi said.
The withdrawal of Pakistani cricketers means that the franchisees will not have to pay them this year. “Teams can save the money which they would have paid to the Pakistani players and use it to buy more foreign players in the second auction. Plus, they can spend another $2 million for buying players for the next two years,” Modi explained.
As for the impact on the teams, Jaipur will certainly miss the services of paceman Sohail Tanvir — the highest wicket-taker in last year’s IPL with 21 scalps — and keeper-batsman Kamran Akmal. The defending champions have already lost Australia’s Shane Watson to injury. Kolkata Knight Riders too, will miss paceman Umar Gul.