The concerns of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rise over rising Indian investment in different international T20 leagues all across the world. The chairperson Mr Ramiz Raja worries that opportunities for their cricketers will be locked anytime sooner if franchises in various leagues are owned by Indian investors.
Recently, the newly-launched SA20 and UAE’s ILT20 have been making jaw-breaking offers. As a result of lucrative deals, the players are willing to sign for any franchise they gain an offer from. Notably, all six teams are owned by the owners of multiple franchises of the Indian Premier League in SA20. Whereas five of six franchises are owned by IPL-bound Indian investors.
India’s massive investing portfolio in almost all major T20 leagues is worrisome for the PCB. Although Pakistani cricketers are not officially banned from playing in ILT20 or SA20, the unstable relations between India and Pakistan refrain players from both nations from playing cricket against or with each other.
The last time they played a bilateral series was back in 2012. Indo-Pak cricket is now only limited to ICC or ACC events. Although, the Pakistani cricketers used to play a cash-rich league, IPL, in 2008 but were banned later on after inflating political tensions.
The only franchise in ILT20 that is not owned by any Indian investor has penned out a deal with Pakistani cricketer Azam Khan. The youngster will carry on wicketkeeping batter duties for American-owned Desert Vipers.
Also, many Pakistani cricketers have been part of the franchises in international T20 leagues owned by Indians. Such as, Fatima Sana was hired by Barbados Royals, a franchise owned by Rajasthan Royals’ Manoj Badale, in 6IXTY and Women Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).
Moreover, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Hasnain have previously turned out for CPL’s Trinbago Knight Riders, owned by the Red Chillies Entertainment consortium, which also owns Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL. Yet, it does not solve PCB’s tension to see its cricketers falling short of opportunities in the international T20 leagues.
