PCB officially does an IPL franchisee

Just a day after there were rumors that Pakistan's Abdul Razzaq has been linked to Kolkata Knight Riders, comes in another very interesting news that the PCB chairman has ruled out the possibility of any Pakistani player from participating in this year's edition of the Indian Premier League. This was no doubt in response to the humiliation that the Pakistani players had to face when none of the players from Pakistan were seen attracting bids from any of the IPL franchises. Someone like Kieron Pollard was able to attract the Mumbai Indians' eyes even before he could draw some appreciation from his home side.

There was nothing unusual in New Zealand's comeback man Shane Bond going in for a whooping $750000 for the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, when no Pakistani player was picked up by any of the franchises one has to wonder as to what made the Kolkata Knight Riders to approach Abdul Razzaq. Though the claim has been rubbished, had it been by anyone else, it could have been ditched. But how can anything be turned down when Abdul Razzaq himself has given a nod to that statement. It seems that Abdul Razzaq had been offered a contract of 1 year and is waiting for an approval from IPL.

But now, even though in future, in case of a freak chance if any of the IPL franchises opt for any player from Pakistan, it would not be let to happen by none other than the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt who has revoked the no objection certificates that it had issued to its players to participate in the IPL. But, one has to understand the motive behind targetting the players from his own country. No gains can be anticipated from the actions of Ijaz Butt why has been strict regarding the players from Pakistan. Is this in response to the anger on the Indian counterpart by the PCB chief?

The PCB chairman could have handled the issue in some other way when he could have asked for a reason for the franchises actions regarding the selection of players from Pakistan. Ijaz Butt could have sought the reason behind shortlisting the players' list who would be available for the auction in the third edition of the IPL. When no franchisee was ever interested in bidding for players from Pakistan, there was no reason for the IPL organising committee to have shortlisted the Pakistani players. Like last year, even this year the Pakistani players could have been barred from playing in the IPL by being straight forward. But, this action from Ijaz Butt is not justified.