New Delhi, January 22: Sohail Tanveer has blamed the authorities of the Twenty20 league for letting down the government and cricketers of the neighbouring nation.
”The IPL authorities let us down. They should have told us earlier if there were any problems in incorporating Pakistani players in this year’s Indian Premier League,” said the medium-pacer, who emerged as the star player for Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL), claiming claiming 22 wickets in 11 matches.
”They have let down the Pakistani government, people of Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board and the players,” he told ‘espnstar.com’.
All the 11 Pakistani cricketers, who were included in the Mumbai auction were ignored by the eight IPL franchises igniting resentment in the strife-torn nation, who claims that the Indian government had influenced the franchise owners to boycott their players.
There was also no participation of any Pakistani players in the last year’s IPL held in South Africa.
However, the franchises later clarified that the Pakistani players’ availability was a concern which forced them to take such a stand and risk their money.
”My visa was also stamped and later we came to know that we were not even considered,” the 25-year-old Tanvir said.
”This may also hamper Indo-Pak relations. If security was an issue, we should have been told earlier by the Indian authorities.
”The PCB took all necessary steps to make sure all the eleven Pakistan players are available for the Twenty20 tournament,” he added.
–Agencies