New Delhi . The effect of strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan can now be seen on cricket franchises leagues as well. According to the latest reports, Pakistani players cannot be considered by those teams in England’s T20 league The Hundred in the upcoming season, which are partly owned by the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. This gesture has become a big topic of discussion in the cricket world before the player auction to be held next month.
Due to increase in private investment in the new season of this tournament proposed from July 21 to August 16, there is going to be a significant increase in the salaries of the players. In such a situation, it is believed that if the franchises associated with IPL ignore Pakistani players, then they may be deprived of this financial benefit. According to the report, this decision is not a direct official ban, but it is being seen as a strategic step in the backdrop of the current political relations between India and Pakistan.
A report by British media organization BBC claimed that a senior official of the England and Wales Cricket Board has indicated to a player agent that interest in its Pakistani players will be limited only to those teams which have no connection with the IPL. However, no official statement has come from any board or franchise in this regard.
A total of eight franchises participate in ‘The Hundred’. Companies associated with IPL have stake in many of these teams. For example, teams like Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds are partly owned by the same entities that also operate IPL franchises. In such a situation, it is feared that the policies of these teams may be influenced by the business and strategic priorities of IPL.
Another agent in the report described the situation as “an unwritten rule” in the Indian-invested T20 league. It is noteworthy that since 2008, Pakistani players have not been able to participate in IPL. Now, if the IPL franchises in foreign leagues also adopt the same stance, then it may impact the presence of Pakistani players in the international T20 market.
Cricket experts believe that franchise cricket is no longer just a game but has become a big business model. In such a situation, investors’ interests, political conditions and global relations can also influence team selection. Although the final decision will be clear only during the auction, but at present the indications are that the path is not looking easy for Pakistani players.
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