We didn't request BCCI to release Indian players for World XI, says PCB Chairman

What seemed like a heartbreak for Pakistan wasn’t one at all claims the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). In simpler words, PCB went onto say that they did not approach the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) with a request that Indian players be released for the upcoming World XI vs Pakistan T20Is in Lahore. Initially, reports showed BCCI in poor light because apparently, they had declined the request. However, now, it is established that the request did not exist.

This strain in relationships is now depicted particularly in reference to the happy times Pakistan cricket is going to have once International cricket officially returns to the country after almost a decade. The initiative involves a tour of the World XI for three T20I matches followed by a series with the Windies team soon after. And, India will have no role in marking the return of cricket in the country, atleast right now. Andy Flower has been entrusted with the responsibility of choosing players for the World XI which is to be announced within 2 days.

“Obviously, we in Pakistan would have loved to host players from India and I’m personally very disappointed that the T20Is won’t feature any of them. As the initiative has come from the ICC, I did not think it right to specifically ask the Board in India for any player(s). The World XI is still a work in progress, but I’ve been informed that there won’t be anybody from India. I don’t know the reason for that,” Najam Sethi, the PCB chairman said.

He didn’t even try…

On being asked if he had made the effort informally, at least, spoken to either acting Board president CK Khanna or acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary, Sethi answered: “No, not on the issue of players for the T20Is. Both are very fine gentlemen but, really, they have little to do with Indo-Pak bilateral cricket ties. Your government is so involved…I could add that where India is concerned, there have been a series of disappointments (on resumption of bilateral cricket),” as reported by The Telegraph.

Brief updates

While the World XI continues to be “a work in progress,” Sethi revealed that there would be players from Afghanistan in the line-up. There’s no clarity, but word is that South Africa’s Hashim Amla may be the captain. The line-up could even include England’s 2010 World T20-winning captain Paul Collingwood. Collingwood (41) has retired from the international arena, but still plays T20 cricket in England and only recently smashed 108 not out for Durham, versus Worcestershire.