Keep politics away from sports

The denial to make bid for any one of 11 Pakistani cricket players by the Franchisees at IPL auction is genuinely an insult to them. It is correct that political relations between India and Pakistan is not good but it does not mean that the cricket players of Pakistan should pay price for them. It is also correct that the auction of players organised by the IPL is purely commercial and the Indian government has nothing to do with it except advising the IPL Commissioner to treat the issue of auction of Pakistani players cautiously, keeping in view the bad patches through which Indo-Pak relations are passing. It may be the commercial decision of the Franchisees not to make bid at auction of Pakistani players for the IPL-3 matches because of the legal hurdles lying in the way of permission to them for their visit to India to play the matches. But the Pakistan players, Cricket Board and the entire nation have treated their exclusion a huge insult. But every individual in both the countries must think that the sports are meant for cementing relations, and not breaking them. PCB has already cancelled the NoC to players for IPL-3 to scotch all speculations about few players that they are likely to play IPL matches in India. PCB must know that IPL is an autonomous body and government of India can not dictate them to do this and that. It is also the general impression in India in the aftermath of 26/11that Pakistan is solely responsible for it and it is also reluctant to punish LeT inspirational head Hafiz Sayeed, who is the mastermind of 26/11, and on the contrary provided him safe haven. IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi should also know that cricket diplomacy has worked in the past to bring Indo-Pak relations on track to some extent. PCB has asked its players to stay away from speaking on IPL so as to avoid confusion over their participation in the Twenty20 event. None of the 11 Pakistani cricketers were picked by any of the IPL franchises in the players auction, which created an uproar in the country leading PCB chairman Ijaz Butt to even say that the snub was ‘’an insult’’ to the players and the Board.The players and the sports management company that represents some of the players have been told by the team management to avoid making comments on the IPL. Abdul Razzaq’s particpation in this year’s IPL had also created a huge confusion after reports were floated that the all-rounder was snapped up by defending champions Hyderabad Deccan Chargers for this season.The reigning champions have, however, rubbished the reports and said they do not have a slot available to buy a foreign player. Both India and Pakistan must walk an extra mile and ensure the participation of potential Pak cricket players so that the cricket fans could not be deprived of enjoying the IPL matches.