Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has slammed Indian cricket board for the ongoing ban on the participation of Pakistani players in IPL. Pakistani players were part in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008 but following the Mumbai attacks there have been no participation of Pakistani players in Indian Premier League ever since.

“It is a sad and unfortunate affair, the relationship between Pakistan and India. There is a lot of arrogance in the way India now behaves in the cricketing world as a cricketing superpower,” the former world cup winning captain told Times Radio in an interview.

“Because of their ability to generate a lot of funds, more than any other country, I think they almost dictate now as a sort of the arrogance of a super power of who they should play and who they shouldn’t. I find it strange that the Indian cricket board should take it out on the Pakistan cricket players,” he said.

Khan had led Pakistan to victory at the 1992 Cricket World Cup

He however said that Pakistan cricketers should not worry too much about the IPL ban. “Pakistan now has a very good quality super league. Foreign players come to play here. We have an excellent clutch of your players coming up. We should not worry about it,” Imran Khan said.

According to reports, India matches in the 2023 Asia Cup, to be held in Pakistan later this year, is likely to played at a neutral venue.

“That isn’t our call. We can’t say where our team has to go. We need to take clearance from government if we leave the country, or other countries come here. We can’t take that decision on our own, we’ve to rely on govt,” BCCL President Roger Binny had earlier said on team India’s travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup.The 16th edition of the IPL T20 tournament began on Friday with a glitzy opening ceremony in Ahmedabad.
Opener Shubman Gill smashed 63 as holders Gujarat Titans beat Chennai Super Kings by five wickets in the Indian Premier League opener in front of more than 100,000 fans in Ahmedabad on Friday. Chasing 179 for victory, Gujarat rode on Gill’s 36-ball innings to achieve their target with four balls to spare at the world’s biggest cricket stadium and their home ground.