Published: Feb 15, 2017, 01:26 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 15, 2017, 01:30 PM (IST)
Looks like Indian all-rounder Yusuf Pathan’s dream of playing in an international arena, yet again, may not be happening anytime soon. The Board of Cricket Council in India (BCCI) has dismissed Yusuf from participating in the upcoming Hong Kong T20 tournament, in spite of initially releasing an NOC, allowing him to take part in the same. BCCI’s change in decision is believed to have stemmed from the growing interest of many players to play in domestic T20s leagues.
Yusuf has not been under contract with the BCCI for the last few years. In addition, he is not even a part of the on-going Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. Getting a chance to play in the Hong Kong T20 Blitz, for Kowloon Cantoons, not only would have given him a chance to showcase his cricketing skills but also, as he believed, would be a good opportunity to get in the groove before the IPL, playing alongside international cricketers. Earlier, on the event of his NOC being approved, Yusuf, clearly elated, had thanked the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) and BCCI.
BCCI game developer manager MV Sridhar cited the difference between a tournament and a league. “League would mean franchises. League would mean auctions, league would mean players being requested and paid according to their capabilities and paid according to their capabilities.”
The BCCI has its own set of reasons to preserve the stance of rejecting applications of Indian players to play for the international tournaments. An anonymous source from Indian Express quoted: “Indian players have a brand name. Indian players playing in the international league will attract Indian viewers. It would also mean that our sponsors, too, want to invest in other leagues. That is why we will not be allowing any Indian players to be part of any such leagues.” The source also said that showing Yusuf the green card, to go for the tournament, initially was a ‘wrong move in the first place.’
Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik is another player facing the same issue, as he was rejected from playing in Caribbean Premier League. Unlike Yusuf, who refrained from giving any comments, Karthik says he believed that his application was obstructed in the process.
