An alternate view

Plenty has been said about the "snubbing" of Pakistani players during the IPL-3 auction. Politics, cricket, insults to the nation, deep disappointment, effigy burning, grandstanding, name calling, business, finance, prudence, conspiracy... the whole nine yards.

And to all this, I want to raise an alternate view.

A short history lesson to lay down the ground for my hypothesis.

During IPL2, franchises were keen on playing Pakistanis. So was the PCB. But the Pakistani Government intervened and issued a no go. And the no go stayed in place even after the event was relocated to South Africa.

Now consider the chronology of events


August 25, 2009

Akram's candidature, however, is not expected to carry much weight because, as one franchise official said, the former Pakistani legend would essentially be a bowling coach. It is learnt that Akram himself is less keen on a full-time coach's job and would like to work as a consultant

September 9, 2009

Pakistan allrounder Abdul Razzaq has said that the PCB has cleared him to play in the IPL, claiming that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were keen to seek his services for the third edition

November 5, 2009

Signs are emerging that Pakistan is pushing to normalise cricketing relations with India, after the meeting last week between PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and officials within the BCCI in India and, in the absence of any likely bilateral series, it appears the IPL's third season could be the icebreaker. Pakistan's board has cleared its players for the tournament, reversing a decision it took for the second season, and has received inquiries from the IPL on the status of its players.

Pakistani players were not allowed to take part in this year's edition of the IPL after their own government refused to give them permission to travel to India. The decision was based primarily on security concerns and whether or not Pakistan's players would be safe in India in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks a year ago. The tournament was eventually shifted to South Africa for security reasons but Pakistan's players were still not allowed to take part.

However, the board is hoping the situation may be different this time round, indicating that permission has been granted to the players by the board and higher authorities. "The PCB has given permission to players to take part in the IPL," Butt told Cricinfo. "Abdul Razzaq recently approached me and he has been given permission as well as others. Lalit Modi emailed to ask what the status of our players regarding IPL was and, when I met him in India, I told him the players were available and the relevant authorities had given permission."

November 16, 2009

Pakistan cricketers can return to the IPL from March 2010 if the PCB provides a no-objection certificate (NOC) and government clearance and also ensures that their visas are in order by November 20, three days before the player trading season for 2010 starts.

November 17, 2009

The PCB has been keen on getting their players involved once again after Ijaz Butt, board chairman, raised the matter on a trip to India last month and said after that the relevant government authorities had also cleared Pakistan's players to play. The IPL said on Monday, after an internal meeting, that they required NOCs from the PCB as well having their visas in order by November 20.

The NOCs, according to Wasim Bari, COO, PCB, have already been sent to the IPL and now the board has asked the IPL to send letters of invitation to Pakistan players to initiate the visa process. An IPL official told Cricinfo that the league will help to facilitate return of Pakistan's players.

"The NOCs have already been sent a week ago," Bari told Cricinfo. "The normal procedure with visa requirements, for India or even England for playing county cricket, is that letters of invitations are sent and then the visa process begins from there."

November 21, 2009

Pakistan's return to the IPL remains on hold with the national board (PCB) confirming it has not received any letters of invitation from the tournament organisers to its players to initiate the visa process. The deadline set by the IPL for receiving No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and visa paperwork was November 20, but a day after that PCB COO Wasim Bari has said he received no intimation about a step forward.

"As far as I am concerned not a single player, who is interested in the IPL gave me an invitation letter of the IPL," Bari told Dawn. "Though the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt has already been in contact with the government to seek guidelines on this issue, whether to allow the players to play in the IPL or not, an invitation from the IPL is nevertheless mandatory.

"I only want an invitation letter from the players and the guideline of the government and that is all from my side."

 November 25, 2009

The IPL has extended the deadline for Pakistan's players to submit the relevant documents needed to ensure their participation in next season's IPL, even as Pakistan's sports ministry seeks permission for the players to play there next year.

The league's chief executive, Sundar Raman, told Cricinfo that the deadline for the PCB to submit the no-objection certificates (NOCs) and other documents to enable the Pakistan players to take part in the 2010 tournament now stands extended to December 7.

December 2, 2009

Pakistan's players have been cleared to participate in the 2010 season of the IPL after receiving the final government clearance they needed, from their country's interior ministry.

Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan's foreign ministry cleared the players' involvement in the Indian league and the interior ministry's clearance means the PCB can now issue the no-objection certificates (NOCS) that would allow them to play in the tournament.

December 8, 2009

The IPL's decision to rule out Pakistan's players from the third season of the Twenty20 league was a result of time constraints arising from visa complications, Lalit Modi, the league's commissioner, has said.

Pakistan's players will miss the IPL for the second season running, despite getting clearances from their sports, foreign affairs and interior ministries, an NOC from the PCB and letters of invitation from IPL franchises. However, the players failed to get their visas in time to meet the IPL's deadline of December 7, two days before the trading window closes.

December 9, 2009

Shahid Afridi has said Pakistan's players were expecting a favourable response from the IPL organisers with respect to their participation in next year's tournament but their exclusion from the tournament will help their prepartions for the ICC World Twenty20. Pakistan's cricketers were ruled out of the competition, due to begin on March 12, after a delay over their visas.

"I think Pakistan have always been supportive of Indian cricket in the past, which is why I was expecting them (India) to be more positive towards us," Afridi, Pakistan's Twenty20 captain, told the News. "But it seems that's not the case. I personally believe that sport promotes harmony and it would have been good for both Pakistan and India had our players been allowed in the IPL.

"I think the absence of our cricketers will not be good for cricket or the IPL......

The IPL's third edition runs from March 12 to April 25, after which players join their respective international squads in West Indies for the World Twenty20 beginning five days later. The time gained from their absence in the IPL, Afridi said, would be utilised for their preparation for the World Twenty20. "Now that it has been decided that we are not playing (in the IPL) we will have a perfect window to hold a proper camp and get ready for the Twenty20 World Cup."

December 9, 2009

The PCB will also be heartened by a statement issued by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Wednesday which said it had not denied the Pakistan players the visas and that their applications were being processed. "The High Commission was approached by the PCB for issuance of visa to only one player [Sohail Tanvir], while three other players submitted visa applications to the High Commission of India in Wellington [ where the team is currently playing]. These visa applications are being processed," the statement said.

The statement also said the High Commission had not been informed of any deadline for issuing the visas, either by the Pakistan board or the IPL.

Pakistan are the reigning World Twenty20 champions, and several franchises had expressed interest in signing the country's cricketers. Five Pakistan players - Kamran Akmal, Misbah ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir - are already on contract with IPL teams. 

Eleven players from Pakistan had taken part in the first IPL, though after the Mumbai attacks, only four were retained by their franchises, though their contracts were suspended until further resolution. Razzaq was signed recently by Kolkata Knight Riders.

December 10, 2009

Four Pakistan players have been cleared for visas by the Indian ministry of external affairs, possibly paving the way for their return to the IPL in 2010. The final call on whether or not they actually participate, it appears, will now be taken by the league, which had earlier ruled out the participation of Pakistan's players as they had not obtained their visa clearances by December 7, the extended deadline.

Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Misbah-ul-Haq and Sohail Tanvir all applied for visas - the first three in Wellington, where they are involved in a Test series, and Tanvir in Islamabad - and Ijaz Butt, chairman PCB, confirmed that clearance had been granted. "Yes the visa clearance has been granted for four of them, three in New Zealand and one in Islamabad," Butt told Cricinfo. 

There is no clarity, however, on the situation of Abdul Razzaq, who is currently in Dhaka; he is believed to have signed up with Kolkata Knight Riders but is the only one of the group who hasn't played in the IPL. Akmal and Tanvir, with Rajasthan Royals, Gul with Kolkata and Misbah with Bangalore Royal Challengers, all have contracts already in place, which stood "suspended" over the last year.

December 10, 2009
 

The IPL opened its doors a little to players from Pakistan once again, though ironically it was made more difficult for the four players with existing - albeit suspended - contracts to take part in the next edition of the lucrative league. Non-contracted Pakistani players, however, can enter this season's auction, a step forward from last season

Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul and Misbah-ul-Haq, the gang of four who already had existing contracts with franchises, had their visas cleared earlier today by the Indian ministry of external affairs, briefly raising hopes that they may be allowed in after all. But because they missed the December 7 deadline to do so, their contracts remain suspended, according to Lalit Modi, chairman IPL. It wasn't, however, a total reinforcement of the league's earlier decision which ruled them out totally; they can, in the right circumstances, still appear.

"The current players will be kept in suspension as they have not fulfilled their obligations," Modi told Cricinfo. "The current suspended players cannot go to the auction. But they will be available to the franchisee for replacement if they have a spot. So their price does not change and others cannot bid for them as it will be a disadvantage for the existing owners."

December 11, 2009

"Suspended players need only go to their franchises," Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, told Cricinfo. "All others just write to me and I will then put their names into the auction."

The auction is due to take place on January 19 next year, but all requests and paperwork will have to be handed in by December 31. Theoretically, a number of Pakistan players would make for attractive acquisitions after their stirring run to win the World Twenty20 in June this year. 

But in practical terms it may not be so easy, even if the IPL says it is "excited" by the prospects of Pakistani participation next season. Franchises may well be put off by the uncertainty of acquiring a Pakistan player during a period where relations between India and Pakistan are particularly turbulent. And in any case, the cream of the squad is currently on a tour of New Zealand and Australia, making the process of applications that much more difficult.

December 30, 2009

The IPL had earlier this month set a December 31 deadline for players from Pakistan to put themselves into the auction pool for IPL 3. Four players - Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Gul - already have contracts with franchises from the first season, though they stand currently suspended. The only way they can now participate is if their franchises free up a spot in their squads by offloading a foreign player.

"All the players here have sent emails to Lalit Modi expressing their interest for next season," one of the players told Cricinfo. "We haven't yet applied for visas to India but we have the NOC's in place from the board."

An IPL official confirmed to Cricinfo that "over 12 players" had applied from Pakistan though he was also unsure of the exact number. The PCB has passed out general NOCs for all its players, clearing them from their end to play next season. The board has been keen on its players being able to take part in the next season after they missed out on the last IPL, held in South Africa.

Dec 31, 2009

Afridi is likely to feature in Pakistan’s upcoming one-day series against Australia and is also set to lead his country in the Twenty20 showdown between the two countries in Melbourne in February. “Compared to IPL and all the other Twenty20 tournaments I think this [Big Bash] tournament is very tough,” Afridi said. “[There is] good cricket and good pitches and I think this is a good preparation for me before playing in the one-dayers against Australia. “Definitely if I perform well I will go with good morale so it’s very important for me. “I always enjoy cricket, especially in Australia and India, and I think you can learn a lot of things here when you play with good cricketers on a good track. “If you perform here it matters a lot, so I’m always keen to perform.” 


Forget the politics, the economics, the business aspects and every other argument made thus far.. Consider just this - as a franchise owner, given everything that has transpired thus far, how do I derive confidence that the Pakistanis are even half serious in their participation in the IPL? What assurance do I have, that having spent a small fortune on recruiting a player, the player will be even bothered to show up, let alone showing up with his A- game? And what about the Pakistani cricketing establishment? Having initiated the conversation on getting Pakistani players in the IPL, they have done their utmost to drag their feet over the issue, whether getting clearances or visas. And then there are the utterances of the captain of the Pakistan T-20 Cricket team.

At a basic human to human level, what actions of the Pakistani establishment and its players invoke any kind of trust that they will follow through? And bereft of trust, what point any further conversation on the issue?

PS:- S.M Krishna's statement today is particularly illuminating

Giving details of the visas issued at very short notice in December 2009 and January 2010 to participate in IPL 2010, the ministry said 17 Pakistani cricketers were issued requisite Indian visas during this period.

"Two visas were issued in Islamabad, while three were issued in Wellington (New Zealand) and 12 in Sydney (Australia), where the concerned Pakistani players had applied while touring New Zealand and Australia, respectively.

"Based on a request from the Pakistan Cricket Board to High Commission of India in Islamabad, the Ministry of External Affairs facilitated necessary clearances from other Ministries of the Government of India," it said.

The ministry also said the Pakistani cricketers had participated in the first edition of IPL in 2008 but not in the second edition in 2009. One Pakistani cricketer participated in the Champions League T20 tournament held in India in October 2009.

 12 visas issued in Sydney, Australia. Which dovetails with the statement on December 30 that Pakistani players were yet to apply for a visa at that time. Pakistan played the Sydney Test between Jan 2 and Jan 7. The deadline for visa clearance was Dec 7. What explains the delay? Is there an explanation?

PPS:-

Pakistan’s players have to go through the auction process to take part in the next IPL spell, the league’s commissioner Lalit Modi has said. His statement came shortly after the Pakistan board said it had been informed that visas for four players – Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Misbah ul-Haq and Kamran Akmal – had been arranged by the Indian government. Modi said even those four players would need to go through the auction on January 19 because their franchises had replaced them. He said Bangalore Royal Challengers had swapped Misbah with Roelof van der Merwe, Kolkata Knight Riders had put in Charl Langeveldt for Umar Gul, while Rajasthan Royals, who had Akmal and Tanvir in the first IPL, contracted Johan Botha. Akmal, Gul, Misbah and Tanvir all applied for visas – the first three in Wellington, where they are concerned in a Test series, and Tanvir in Islamabad – and Ijaz Butt, chairman PCB, confirmed that permission had been approved. “Yes the visa clearance has been granted for four of them, three in New Zealand and one in Islamabad”.

Read more...

Return

Satyameva Jayate

You know the argument, the one which says that the Champions League is not quite the Champions League because the Pakistanis are not in it.

But but, I say, what about the ban on the Pakistan players imposed by the Government of Pakistan?

Bogus, you say, it is all Modi's fault.. He made some bogus claims about cut off dates and Pakistani government clearances to shut the door on Pakistan.And hey, the poor Pakistanis were not even aware of their exclusion.

But but, I say, there is nothing forthcoming from either the PCB or the Pakistan Foreign Ministry on cricketers being allowed to travel to India. So the status quo has not changed.

Hogwash, you say, the ban was in place only until the IPL. And didnt Yasir Arafat travel to India for the Champions League? And dont mention the fact that he got his passport stamped in the UK, because, as a Pakistani national and cricket player, he traveled to India and that's that. A pox on Modi's house!

Enter left, Ijaz Butt, Chairman of the PCB

LAHORE: Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board, Ijaz Butt said on Saturday that revival of cricket ties and playing cricket matches of 2011 World Cup in India solely depend on Pakistan Government's decision. "We will be following Government advice as far revival of bilateral cricket ties with India and playing matches of World Cup in India are concerned and PCB cannot take decision on its own to permit its team to visit India," he said at a news conference here Saturday. Also present on the occasion were Chief Operating Officer, Wasim Bari, newly appointed General Managers Media,Tariq Hakeem and Media Nadim Sarwar. Ijaz Butt said PCB is up-dating Government on cricket issues on regular basis and seeks its advice whenever it is needed and similar practice will be followed regarding Pak teams visit to India.

Read more...

Return

Cabby Cabby Mere Dil Mein (tale from Padosan)

When I asked the Pakistani taxi driver to switch on his radio for the Eng-NZ commentary this evening , he asked me where I was from ( ám often mistaken for a Philipino ). When I said India , he laughed softly. It was the sort of soft laugh that comes from trying to supress a really booming loud laugh. him. "Ärre tumaera team to nikel geya..."he said in that inimitable Pathan style and accent.

I laughed along : "Ärre , tum logo ne hamey nikaal diya aur ab tumhe hasi aa rahi hain. Kuch to rehem karo , yaar". He laughed nervously but loud now "Arre nehi nehi bhai , ek hi baar to aesa huea hein...warna nahi to India to bahut zyaadae jeeta haein na bhai "he tried. Then he went on for about five minutes about how winning -losing is part of the game. "Kabhei India jeetae , kabhei Paaki-staan jeetae..."

I remembered those tales from Indian old timers here in the UAE about how they couldn't get into cabs (which are mostly driven by Pathan Pakistanis) for days on end after Ind-Pak games during those Sharjah days of yore. This was clearly that - and not quite that ,at the same time. This guy was much too polite and was evidently embarassed at his own outburst. And besides , i guess a 25-km customer for a taxi guy in the Dubai of 2009 - a couple of weeks after the launch of the Metro at that-can be a more valuable thing than a cricket victory !

But it was apparent how unstoppable and spontaneous was the urge in him to laugh .

Which is fantastic !

Considering he seemed surpised there was a game on today (Eng-NZ) , it's quite possible he didn't even know that there's a multi-nation tournament being played out. All he knew , and obviously cared a lot about , was that there was an Ind-Pak game a couple of days ago.

Yet another small,daily-life instance when the magnitude of the Ind-Pak rivalry made itself very clearly felt . It really is one of the great team-sports rivalries of all time ,isn't it. Yeah, sure, big time cliche - but one of those cliches that kinda reminds one why a cliche is also called a truism ! :-). Anyway , i gave him a decent tip at the end- with , ahem , the unsaid wish that his team mauls Australia tommorow ! :-)

Which brings me to my last point : what if Pakistan mauls Australia tommorow - and we don't beat WI ? ! The Ind-WI angle seems all but forgotten in all this conjecture about the Pak-Aus result. One of the great forgotten angles - if not of all time at least of the last 24 hours , eh ? :-)

Signing off with the hope-against-hope that everything falls in place like a dream and we go through.

And if we do , the CT is ours.

Read more...

Return

Who is your favourite Younis Khan?

I had huge respect for Younis Khan – the player, fighter, captain and more than anything someone who wanted to take the Pakistani cricket establishment head on. That has now become a story of the past, why ?

He has just proven that he is another average politician from the subcontinent. He has told the press that in spite of him not being fully fit in the finger. Younis justified this bravado by invoking Sachin Tendulkar and his cameo during the 2003 world cup against Pakistan.

So, what is wrong with his intentions ?

Why am I being so harsh on a brave Pathan ?

If his team wins and / or he scores some runs, then he would emerge a brave warrior who went to war without a finger and made a name for him. A la, Ekalavya of Mahabaratha fame.

If Pakistan indeed loses, like how the history points, then Younis becomes a martyr. A man who would soon be recommended for a Nishan-e-Haider, and retired.

Tell us who your favorite Younis Khan is ??

Ekalavya of Mahabaratha or a Nishan-e-Haider winning martyr

Read more...

Return