‘India dragging feet on cricket ties with Pakistan’

Cricket can bring India and Pakistan closer if not for bad politics, according to Pakistan Super League Chairman Najam Sethi. PSL chairman Najam Sethi says the ball is in India’s pitch during an interview to a UAE-based newspaper.

“Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had committed to playing six series over eight years with us. Now they are dragging their feet. In fact, their government barred the Indian team from playing Pakistan. The board is not ready to admit this and they are beating about the bush.”

“We will wait and see, and we are considering legal action against them,” he said, while not going into details.

“As far as Pakistan is concerned, we are ready to play against them anywhere—UAE, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh—except in India.”

The arch rivals last played during the ICC World T20 last year.

The two teams have not competed in the Test format since Pakistan’s tour of India in 2007.

Sethi believes Pakistan has always been flexible on cricket and the PSL is ready to accommodate Indian players despite the fact that the Indian Premier League has shut the doors on Pakistani players.

“We are aware that India does not allow their players to take part in foreign leagues. Our doors are open to Indian players though the BCCI has barred Indian franchises from hiring Pakistani players.”

DRS to be used in play-offs

PSL chairman also said, “We are going to introduce DRS during the play-offs in the tournament. Some of the decisions by the umpires have been questioned and we want to make it more transparent.

“But I am afraid to reveal that the DRS will not be available during the final to be held in Lahore because the IT people are not willing to travel to Pakistan.”

‘On track’ for PSL final in Lahore:

Najam Sethi also said that they were on track for final of the league in Lahore. However, they will continue to monitor and review the situation in the run-up.

“I just met CM Punjab. We are on track for PSL FINAL in Lahore. But we shall continue to monitor and review the situation in the run-up,” he tweeted.

Earlier today, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over another meeting pertaining to security and safety during PSL final, which is scheduled to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on March 5.