Pakistan players seek participation in IPL

LAHORE: The organizers of the Indian Premier League (IPL) continue to snub Pakistani cricketers and are unlikely to consider them for any future events.Pakistani cricketers refused to play in the league when it was based in India as a result of a call from their government as the relationship between the neighbours soured. Although the IPL will now take place in South Africa, the organisers have not invited the Pakistani cricketers to reconsider their stance.The IPL franchises had signed some of the leading Pakistan cricketers, including skipper Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar and Salman Butt.It is understood that the IPL organisers were upset by the refusal of the Pakistan government to release the players. They have now refused to take them back. While some of the Pakistani players have written e-mails to the IPL organisers and to their respective teams, they have not received any replies. The IPL feels that it is only required to pay non-participating players if they are injured. The Pakistani players, however, argue that they cannot be blamed for a decision made by their government. They have also demanded that they be included in the tournament now that it is being held in South Africa, or failing that receive the money they were promised by the franchises.Some of the Pakistani players who have signed with sports management companies said they hope to fight their case against the IPL. In a recent TV interview, Khan threatened to seek legal redress.