Absence of Pakistani Cricketers in IPL due to security reasons - Shaharyar

Absence of Pakistani Cricketers in IPL due to security reasons : Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan admitted on Tuesday (December 23) that the participation of the Pakistani players in the lucrative India Premier League is not possible because of the security concerns of the players.

He also stated that no Indian official played any role in Pakistani players featuring in the Indian Premier League.

The PCB chairman told reporters while responding to the questions about the relationship between the cricket boards of the Asian giants. He affirmed that the ties of the cricket bodies will not be affected due to the recent tiff between the kabaddi and hockey federation of both the countries.

The PCB chairman said “The Indian board has said that the franchises want to have Pakistani players- crowd pullers like Shahid Afridi but they don’t for fear of security, The concern of the franchises is that the majority of the crowds in India are not favorable to Pakistani players and they fear security issues if Pakistani players take part in the IPL,”

“Ties between the Pakistan and Indian cricket boards have always been cordial even during tense diplomatic and political times and we hope it continues that way,” “But what has happened in hockey and kabaddi is unfortunate and could have been avoided” he said.

“What happens is that this leads to negative reactions from Indian crowds and media and that is why I don’t see our players in the IPL very soon.”

Pakistani players participated in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier league. Kamran Akmal and Sohail Tanvir were a part of Rajasthan Royals franchisee which won the inaugural edition. Sohail Tanvir took 22 wickets won the purple cap for being the leading wicket taker in that tournament. Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul played for Kolkata Knight Riders. Shahid Afridi played for Deccan Chargers, and Mohd Asif represented Delhi Daredevils in the inaugural season of IPL. But since the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008, no player from Pakistan has featured in the IPL.