Dubai: Pakistan players will, once again, miss out on the Indian Premier League (IPL) when its fourth edition kicks off next year. Though IPL's next edition is likely to be a 10-team event, Pakistan's star Twenty20 players like Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir and Shoaib Akhtar will not be there as they do not figure among the 416 players listed to be auctioned in Bengaluru on January 8-9.
Though Pakistan cricketers played in the inaugural IPL in 2008, they have not been included from the 2009 edition.
The Mumbai terror attack had worsened the relationship between India and Pakistan and due to security concerns, the Pakistan players were not included in the past two editions.
As per the rules of the IPL, every player has to apply through their respective cricket boards to play in the event. An IPL official confirmed that no names were forwarded for consideration by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
It should be noted that before the start of the IPL's third edition, no franchise had showed any interest in picking the Pakistan players. In fact, 11 players were to go under the hammer such as Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Gul, Imran Nazir, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Aamer, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Saeed Ajmal and Tanvir, the highest wicket-taker in the first edition. But there were no takers.
Other absentees
Some of the top stars from other countries, too, have decided not to participate in the next edition. Australian skipper Ricky Pointing, vice-captain Michael Clarke and left-arm fast bowler, Mitchell Johnson, the hero for Australia's victory in the Ashes Test against England in Perth, all have opted out of IPL 4.
Former greats — opener Matthew Hayden and pacer Glenn McGrath — are also missing from the list.
England's star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who had signed up with Chennai Super Kings in 2009 and now lives a retired life in Dubai, will also not be playing.
In the ring: Lara to be a favourite
Former West Indies captain Brian Lara will prove to be as popular as he was in Dubai during a recent visit to the Gold Souk at the next IPL.
Lara, who told Gulf News that he was ready to play in the IPL despite being away from the game for four years, will be among the most wanted stars and is likely to attract the highest reserve price of $400,000 during the auction.
The other cricketers who may also fetch the highest price are former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Glichrist, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh. .
