Lahore, June 27: With the World Twenty20 title on his sleeves, skipper Younis Khan asked his players to renew their contracts with the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, asserting that they deserve more than what they are getting. ”After all, these players are now World champions and highly marketable. There is more value on their performances.
Why should they keep on having contracts with the IPL franchises on same old contracts,” Younis said. Wicket keeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, pace spearhead Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir along with middle-order batsman Misbah-ul Haq, who were the part of the title winning team at Lord’s, had signed contracts for 100,000 dollars or less with the various teams in the inaugural IPL tournament in 2008. Pakistani players could not participate in the second season of IPL, which was held in South Africa, due to strained realtions between both the countries after terror attacks in Mumbai.
However, Younis feels that now the players should ask to their agents for a decent hike and the right-handed batsman said he would be very happy if the Pakistani players get the money what they deserve. ”But now the scenario is different. These players should talk to their agents in India and ask them to go for a hike in price from the IPL franchises.
”I am happy if any of our players can be better packages in the IPL for next season,” he added. Younis, who announced his retirement from Twenty20 internationals after the World Cup win, feels that return of the Indian Cricket League (ICL) players to the main stream cricket would strengthen the team. But he also criticised former Pakistan opener Imran Nazir and pacer Rana Naved for making conditions to resign from the unofficial cricket league. Nazir and Naved have asked for surety of a place in the Pakistan team after the duo has decided to quit the ICL.
”But I would like to see these players who are now leaving the ICL why they joined this league in the first place.
”How can any player be given surety they will play for Pakistan.
Razzaq has returned to the team and performed well so he is playing,” he added.
—Agencies