 The third edition of the Indian Premier League which will be played between
February and March next year could see the influx of many Pakistani cricketers
if everything goes to plan. The IPL committee, which had set a deadline of 20th
of November for the NOCs and the visas of all the players who would be allowed
from Pakistan, is said to have received the former and is waiting the latter
document.
There had been 11 Pakistani cricketers who had featured in the first season
of the IPL in 2008, which was held in India. However, following the Mumbai
terror attacks last year, the Pakistani cricketers had been disallowed from
playing in the second edition of the tournament. Out of the 11 players, seven
had their contracts revoked, with only the remaining four retaining their contracts,
but on a suspended basis.
However, with Pakistan having won the ICC World T20 in 2009, it is only natural
that many of the players from the side are being looked for the third edition.
It is not only the World T20 that they won, but rather ironically, Pakistan
is one of the most successful sides in the T20Is so far, and have the batting
and the bowling arsenal to do the damage. This means that they will attract
a premium on their bidding value.
Hence, this time around, it is not only those players who had had their contracts
cancelled, but also those who did not feature in the first edition who could
be contracted. These include the likes of Abdul Razzaq, Imran Nazir
and Naved-ul-Hasan Rana, all three of whom who had returned back from the ICL.
Apart from them, the likes of Mohammad Aamer and Saeed Ajmal could also
have a lot of takers in the bidding process which will take place before the
start of the tournament.
However, all of that would be possible only once the players get their visas.
The Chief Operations Officer of the PCB, Wasim Bari, has said that the NOCs
have been already sent across to the IPL committee. However, for the visa process
to begin they needed the IPL to send out invites to the PCB and on that basis
the visa process will be taken forward. This year, the tournament has been advanced
by more than a month, to accommodate the third edition of the ICC World T20,
that will be played in the West Indies.
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