Pakistan players in IPL: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) banned participation of Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after the 2009 terror attacks in Mumbai. Pakistan's former Prime Minister and World Cup-winning skipper Imran Khan has said that Pakistan cricketers should not worry about India not allowing them to play in the world's richest T20 league. Notably, Pakistani players were part of the inaugural season of Indian Premier League, IPL 2008.
"I find it strange that the Indian cricket board would take it out on the Pakistan cricket players (by not allowing them to feature in the IPL) and it just reeks of arrogance," said Imran while speaking to Times Radio.
"If India doesn't allow Pakistan players (to play IPL) so be it. Pakistan should not worry about it," he added.
Calling the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) arrogant, ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan pointed out that India's ability to generate a "lot of funds" has given them the power to almost 'dictate' who they should play and who they shouldn't.
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"It is unfortunate, the relationship between Pakistan and India. There is a lot of arrogance in the way India now behaves in the cricketing world as a superpower. Because of their ability to generate a lot of funds, lot more than any other country, I think they almost dictate now as a sort of the arrogance of a superpower of who they should play and who they shouldn't," said Imran.
Meanwhile, Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 started with a blockbuster clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT) on Friday (March 31). Hardik Pandya-led GT defeated CSK by 5 wickets to win the tournament opener.