The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) along with the IPL Governing Council has decided that Pakistan cricketers will not be a part of IPL-6 as well. Ever since the surface tensions have increased between the two countries, the impact has felt severely upon sports. It has been almost three years now that now none of the Pakistan players have been allowed to take part in the elite Indian Premier League citing security reasons. It all started during IPL 2010 that Pak cricketers have been denied any berth in the lucrative IPL. The latest decision made has put end to any chances of the cricketers taking part in this IPL season as well.
Union sports minister Jitendra Singh has issued a statement in this regard that none of the Pakistan players will be allowed to take part in the IPL-6. According to the official sources, Mr. Singh is of the firm view that allowing any cricketer to take part would be inviting trouble and this is absolutely not good for the country’s security.
Earlier, the Indo-Pak was conducted successfully even though there were objections from some vested interests. There were certain levels of controversy that paved way with the granting of visa to former Pakistan skipper and coach Javed Miandad to watch the final between India and Pakistan. However, the issue did not bothered much after Miandad cancelled his plans to visit.
The present situation in Jammu-Kashmir border has become really tense ever since two Indian soldiers were killed brutally by Pakistan soldiers. Both the countries have agreed upon a ceasefire, but the neighbouring country has been attacking along the border. Though the Indian authorities have taken up this matter with their Pakistani counterparts, there were no significant assurances given in this regard.
Improving the ties between Pakistan and India has become possible because of the active involvement of sports since several years. However, the current situations have now led to the verge of sports relationships between both the countries.
The results were already felt upon Hockey India League because of which nine Pakistan hockey players were sent back to their country. The highly anticipated Women’s Cricket World Cup too might be the next casualty in which a number of women cricket players are scheduled to participate. However, the current situation has now put their future in doldrums as well.
Meanwhile, the number of people voicing against the stay of former Pakistan cricketers like Wasim Akram and Rameez Raja too has increased substantially.
Ashok Kumar, a member of 1975 world cup winning side, expressed his deep anguish that generally sports and politics should not be related but this is the time to come up with such a stern response.
"I think this is extremely right decision. Players are also human beings and citizen of this country. I agree that sports should be kept away from this but now all the limits have been crossed," Kumar said.
This means the Pakistan cricketers will not be able to participate in the auction on February 3 to be held for IPL-6.
