LAHORE: Former captain and bowling great Wasim Akram has expressed disappointment that Pakistan cricketers are again likely to be left out of the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League. “From what we are hearing Pakistani players will again not be in the IPL and this is so disappointing because frankly speaking I personally feel without our players the IPL loses much of its charm and competitive edge,” Wasim was quoted by PTI as saying. Wasim pointed out that if top players like Shahid Afridi or Abdul Razzaq were not allowed to take part in the IPL it would affect the reputation of the tournament.
But the former fast bowler also blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board for not doing enough to ensure Pakistani players take part in the IPL fourth edition. “Even if the Indian board had not shown keenness I think our board should have taken the initiative and shown interest in sending our players to the IPL,” he added.
Pakistani players took part in the inaugural edition of the IPL in great numbers but have not appeared in the next two editions mainly due to the fallout of relations between the two countries in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
