The chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt condemned the action of IPL Franchisees for not selecting any one of the 11 Pakistani players during auction of international players for the events' 3rd edition, Geo news reported.
Talking to media in Lahore, Butt said: ‘I am unhappy over not selection of Pakistani players in IPL's 3rd edition.'
‘I have also asked federal minister for sports to take up this issue with his Indian counterpart', he said.
He said he made several phone calls to the commissioner of IPL Lallit Modi but he did not even receive his call.
“We will take note of our team's performance and other controversial issues in Australia after the end of tour”, he said. Butt urged the need for separate batting and bowling coaches for the national team.
Pakistan's sports minister Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani said he had complained to his Indian counterpart after Pakistani cricketers were snubbed at the IPL auction.
“I have phoned the sports minister of India and recorded a protest over the unjust and discriminatory treatment meted out to the Pakistani cricketers,” Jakhrani told AFP.
“It is indeed a matter of disrespect of Pakistani heroes, who are the champions of Twenty20 world cup,” he said.
“Pakistani ministries of sports, interior and foreign affairs had given political and security clearance to Pakistani players in time to play.”
Although IPL club owners declined to comment on why the Pakistanis were kept out, one franchise official said uncertainty over the Pakistani players' visas and security fears could have been a factor.
Pakistani cricketers were denied permission by Islamabad to play in the second IPL edition last year due to growing political tensions with India after the November 2008 attacks on India's financial hub Mumbai.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did however clear the players to take part in this year's IPL, but the delay in securing Indian visas created an obstacle, with approval only coming through at the last minute.
