| MUMBAI:
First India called off its tour of Pakistan late last year following the Mumbai terror attacks when the Indian government refused to let its team travel, voicing security concerns. The Pakistan cricket board apparently lost $40 million on account of that cancellation.
Now it is the turn of the Pakistan government to do the same. It has refused permission to let its players participate in the the second edition of the Indian Premier
League (IPL).
The
Pakistan foreign ministry feels that it is not safe for its
cricketers to travel to India after the tragedy in Mumbai
in November.
Kolkata
and the Rajasthan Royals will be affected the most. Players
like Sohail Tanveer, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik and Shahid
Afridi were part of the inaugural edition of the event.
At
the third auction in Goa on Friday one could see these franchisees
pick up players to fill up the gap thanks to the absenteeism of Pakistani players.
Last
week the sports ministry of Pakistan had given clearance to
the players to participate in the event. However, the final
decision was up to the Pakistan government.
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