Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is 'surprised' that organisers of the Champions League Twenty20 have yet again ignored them for the lucrative tournament.
Published: Jun 21, 2011, 10:44 AM (IST)
Edited: Jun 21, 2011, 10:44 AM (IST)
R Ashwin was adjudged Man-of-the-Series of Champions League T20 2010 © Getty Images
Lahore: Jun 21, 2011
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is ‘surprised’ that organisers of the Champions League Twenty20 have yet again ignored them for the lucrative tournament.
“We are surprised the organisers have again not invited us although this time they have even scheduled a qualifying tournament for six teams before the main competition,” a PCB official said.
Champions League, the third edition of which is scheduled to be held from September 23 to October 9, is a joint venture of cricket Boards of India, Australia and South Africa.
A record 13 teams are set to compete this season and six teams will compete to claim three spot through a qualifying event.
Teams from India, New Zealand, West Indies, England Sri Lanka will compete in the qualifiers from September 19 to 21.
“So far we have not had any discussions with the Indians on this as yet but when we meet them on the sidelines of the ICC meeting this month we will discuss the Champions League matter,” the official said.
Pakistan was invited to participate in the inaugural Champions League in India in 2008 but the tournament was postponed due to the terror attacks in Mumbai.
When the tournament was rescheduled, the invitation to the Sialkot Stallions team was withdrawn by the organisers.
The PCB official said Pakistan could not send its team unless the organisers invite them.
“We will bring up this issue with the Indian board officials as they are one of the partners for the CL with Australia and South Africa as we don’t see reason now for them not to have the Pakistani champions in the league.”
Pakistani players have also not taken part in the last three editions of the Indian Premier League after a large number of them appeared in the inaugural edition in 2008.
The official said the issue of revival of bilateral cricket ties with India would also be discussed with the Indians.
“We are keen to have a revival of bilateral ties with them even at neutral venues. Hopefully we should get some response this time.”
© PTI
