‘IPL snub good for Pak cricket’
WELLINGTON: Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis is more than happy for his players to be missing from the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament.
Aside from the first IPL tournament in 2008, Pakistanis have been shut out of the league, though the exact reasoning remains unclear.
A terror attack in Mumbai in November 2008, which was linked to terror groups in Pakistan, was believed to be the catalyst for the absence of Pakistan players but other factors, such as unwillingness of Indian franchises to field Pakistan players, and the murky situation surrounding allegations of spot-fixing by several Pakistan players, are also in play.
Last year none of the 11 Pakistan cricketers available received any bids and this year reportedly no names were put forward.
The players have been denied the opportunity to earn big money but Younis believes Pakistan cricket will be better for their absence from the IPL.
“It’s not good for the cricketers, I guess, because they are losing out on the financial side, but I always think that, in a way, it helps Pakistan cricket because we can concentrate more on international cricket,” he said.
Given the all-consuming focus on Twenty20 cricket and the growing belief the shortest version of the game is ruining New Zealand Test cricket, Younis’ comments are timely.
While he would not comment directly on New Zealand’s situation, he suggested that having players involved in the IPL was not ideal for any international team.
“The money side of (the IPL) is huge. As long as the players are keen and they want to do well and respect the fact that they are playing for their countries, it’s fine with me.
“It’s affecting some (countries) and it doesn’t seem to be affecting others ... but I’m happy with the way things are because our boys are a lot fresher and they really want to do well for Pakistan.”
[Courtesy The News International]
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