IPL | Govt Denies Role, Says Pak Should Introspect

Rejecting Pakistan’s allegations, India today said the government had nothing to do with non-selection of Pakistani players in the IPL as it was a “commercial” event but asked it to introspect on reasons for the strain in bilateral ties.

The External Affairs Ministry termed as “unfortunate” the blame put on the government by Pakistan for the absence of Pakistani players in the third edition of Indian Premier League cricket tournament.

It also rubbished reports that the Pakistani players were not opted for by the teams during the IPL auction because of apprehension that they will not get visas, saying “such apprehension is completely misplaced”.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said, “Government has nothing to do with IPL, on selection of players and various exercises that are connected with it. So, Pakistan will have to draw a line between where Government of India is connected and where Government of India is an actor.”

Krishna said this when reporters sought his comments on Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s remarks that the manner in which the players were “insulted” showed that India was not serious about the peace process.

The ministry also issued a statement, which said “blaming the Government for the absence of Pakistani players from the next edition of IPL is unfortunate.

“Pakistan should introspect on the reasons which have put a strain on relations between India and Pakistan, and have adversely impacted on peace, stability and prosperity in the region,” it said.

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.

“The participation or absence of Pakistani cricketers in a commercial event of the nature of IPL is, thus, a matter not within the purview of the Government,” it said.

The statement also comes in the wake of Pakistan’s decision not to send any parliamentary delegation to India to protest the “treatment meted out” to the country’s cricketers in the auction for IPL.

Twenty20 champions Pakistan was stunned after none of the country’s 11 players, including current Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi who had played for Deccan Chargers in the first season, were bought during the IPL auction on Tuesday. In fact, none of the participants made any bid for any of the Pakistan players.