Thaindian News

Mumbai, Jan 19 (IANS) For the second successive season, the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be devoid of Pakistani flavour.
The Pakistani players went unsold in the third IPL auction here Tuesday as there were no takers for the stars of the World Twenty20 champion side.

The only ostensible reason for the Pakistanis not going under the hammer could be the uncertainty over their participation in view of the strained relation between the two sub-continental neighbours.

Pakistani players were barred from participating in the last edition in South Africa in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. However, their players were registered for auction this time after a delay in Pakistan government clearing them to play in the Twenty20 tournament and India granting them the visas.

There was a hushed silence when the name of the Pakistan Twenty20 World Cup star player Shahid Afridi, who was expected to be a top draw in the auction, was announced first up. After that it was clear that none of the Pakistanis would be picked, though Kolkata Knight Riders bowling coach Wasim Akram was said to be keen on getting fast bowling sensation Mohammad Aamer.

The Akmal brothers — Kamran, who played for Rajasthan Royals in the first edition and Umar, who scored century on debut against New Zealand — were among the favourites.

In all, eleven Pakistani players, including Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naved and Imran Nazir, who were part of the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL), were in the auction list.

Pakistan players who went unsold were Shahid Afridi, Misbahul Haq, Umar Gul, Imran Nazir, Rana Naved, Mohammad Aamer, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, and Sohail Tanvir.