Twenty20’s New Mantra: Dumping Pak Players?

The mood prevailing towards Pakistan and players from Pakistan is not good. It could even spell more gloom in this financial doom.

In the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, the ICL called off its World Series tournament. The Indian government issued a no go to the BCCI on India touring Pakistan for a full on cricket tour. Now it appears Twenty20, even by its own all embracing personality, could result in another fatality for the Pakistan players.

Word has it that both the Twenty20 leagues in India, the IPL and the ICL, are willing to make do without the Pakistan cricketers given the current mood prevailing in the country and the political deadlock that sees the neighbours sparring dangerously.

Apparently the ICL is even mulling the prospect of entirely doing away with its Pakistan contingent that includes the likes of Inzamam ul Haq who leads the Lahore Badshahs. With both Hyderabad Heroes and Lahore Badshahs featuring Pakistan cricketers, it could mean a huge hole in the ICL’s success story, but one which they are apparently willing to contend with as was emphasized with the rather immediate derailment of the tournament following the terrorists’ bids to take over the Taj and Trident hotels in Mumbai.

The IPL franchisees are trying to reach a consensus where they are all collectively willing to let go of the Pakistan recruits. This would either mean that they would altogether drop these players from their team via the trading window or else, force them to sit out of matches in order to appease the public sentiment.

Either way it would be a shame given that the Lahore Badshahs sparked off serious competition in the ICL while Pakistan cricketers like Sohail Tanvir have been the highlight of the IPL by becoming the most successful bowler in a batsman dominated sport.