/ 26 January 2010

Pakistan wants inquiry into IPL ‘snub’

Pakistan’s sports minister has demanded the Indian government carry out an inquiry into the snubbing of Pakistan cricketers in the recent Indian Premier League player auction.

“We want the government of India to intervene in this issue and let us know who was responsible in keeping Pakistan cricketers away from the IPL,” Ijaz Jhakrani said on Tuesday. “From day one our stance is that the IPL decision was an influenced one.”

None of the eight IPL Twenty20 franchises made a bid any of the 11 Pakistan cricketers — including Twenty20 specialist Shahid Afridi and fast bowlers Umar Gul and Sohail Tanviron — at the IPL auction.

Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Kolkata Knight Rider team owner Shah Rukh Khan expressed disappointment on Monday over non-inclusion of Pakistan players in the IPL, despite 17 Pakistan players being issued Indian visas to allow them to play in the competition.

“His [Chidambaram’s] statement is a positive sign and it vindicates our stance, and I would appreciate it if the government of India interferes in this issue,” Jhakrani said.

“Their statements make it crystal clear that there was involvement of a third player in influencing the IPL auction.”

The sports ministry has also chosen to delay granting permission for the Pakistan golf team to tour India next month.

In addition, Speaker of Pakistan parliament’s lower house, Dr. Fehmida Mirza, stopped a parliamentary delegation’s proposed tour of India in protest.

“We have asked both our foreign and interior ministries to let us know about the golf team’s tour to India,’ sports ministry spokesman Faik Ali told the Associated Press.

“We will decide on the golf team’s tour to India after receiving inputs from both ministries.” — Sapa-AP