Pakistani players likely to be part of IPL auction VI

NIDA DAR

KARACHI: Following the decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to
revive bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan, it is likely that top Pakistani cricketers may again be part of auctions in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).

After the working committee cleared the three One-day Internationals (ODIs) and two Twenty20 series against Pakistan, there’s a growing feeling among BCCI members that now Pakistani players should be allowed to play in the IPL.

A proposal in this regard may be tabled when the working committee meets next.

“It is bad luck that Champions League T20 has been shifted to South Africa or else Sialkot
Stallions would have played here before the national team. Now with the government also
giving the go-ahead, the general feeling among members is that Pakistani players should be
allowed to be part of next IPL auctions,” a senior BCCI working committee member said on
condition of anonymity.

“It wasn’t for any reason that PCB president Zaka Ashraf had been invited to watch the IPL
final,” the official added.

Pakistani players were a part of IPL-I with pacer Sohail Tanveer, playing for Rajasthan Royals, getting the “Purple Cap”.

Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Mohammed Hafeez and Umar Akmal will be some of the sought after
players if BCCI agrees to open doors for Pakistani players in the next IPL auction VI.