New Delhi:
The government has denied that it in any way influenced the Indian Premier League auction against Pakistani players.
"Government has nothing to do with selection of players for sporting events," said S M Krishna, the minister for External Affairs. "Pakistan will have to draw a line between where Government of India is directly connected and where it is not," he added.
A terse statement issued by Krishna's Ministry reinforced the point: "Blaming the Government for the absence of Pakistani players from the next edition of IPL is unfortunate. Pakistan should introspect on the reasons which have put a strain on relations between India and Pakistan, and have adversely impacted on peace, stability and prosperity in the region."
On Monday, an auction for IPL 3 saw all 11 Pakistani players up for sale ignored completely by buyers. Pakistan's interior minister, Rehman Malik on Wednesday suggested that this proves India is not serious about improving diplomatic relations with Pakistan.
The players, including Shahid Afridi, who was expected to be a hot pick at the auction, described the lack of interest in them as an insult. "The way I see it, the IPL and India have made fun of us and our country by treating us this way," Afridi said.
Senior all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, who was also among the players in the auction, said he saw the snub to Pakistani players as a joint strategy between the IPL and Indian government to insult Pakistan players. "They have basically tried to hurt our cricket and image and this is most disappointing because I believe there should be no politics in sports," Razzaq told PTI.
There isn't, clarifies India's Ministry of External Affairs. "Seventeen Pakistani cricketers were issued requisite Indian visas at very short notice in December 2009 and January 2010 to participate in IPL 2010. ...cricketers from Pakistan had participated in the first edition of IPL in 2008 but not in the second edition in 2009, which was held in South Africa."
India's response comes after Pakistan declared it will not send parliamentary delegations to India to protest the 'treatment meted out' to the country's cricketers in the auction for the Indian Premier League tournament."India or any other country that does not give respect to Pakistan will be treated the same way by us. If there is a desire to improve Indo-Pak friendship, respect should be given to Pakistani sportspersons," Malik said.
"Government has nothing to do with selection of players for sporting events," said S M Krishna, the minister for External Affairs. "Pakistan will have to draw a line between where Government of India is directly connected and where it is not," he added.
A terse statement issued by Krishna's Ministry reinforced the point: "Blaming the Government for the absence of Pakistani players from the next edition of IPL is unfortunate. Pakistan should introspect on the reasons which have put a strain on relations between India and Pakistan, and have adversely impacted on peace, stability and prosperity in the region."
On Monday, an auction for IPL 3 saw all 11 Pakistani players up for sale ignored completely by buyers. Pakistan's interior minister, Rehman Malik on Wednesday suggested that this proves India is not serious about improving diplomatic relations with Pakistan.
The players, including Shahid Afridi, who was expected to be a hot pick at the auction, described the lack of interest in them as an insult. "The way I see it, the IPL and India have made fun of us and our country by treating us this way," Afridi said.
Senior all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, who was also among the players in the auction, said he saw the snub to Pakistani players as a joint strategy between the IPL and Indian government to insult Pakistan players. "They have basically tried to hurt our cricket and image and this is most disappointing because I believe there should be no politics in sports," Razzaq told PTI.
There isn't, clarifies India's Ministry of External Affairs. "Seventeen Pakistani cricketers were issued requisite Indian visas at very short notice in December 2009 and January 2010 to participate in IPL 2010. ...cricketers from Pakistan had participated in the first edition of IPL in 2008 but not in the second edition in 2009, which was held in South Africa."
India's response comes after Pakistan declared it will not send parliamentary delegations to India to protest the 'treatment meted out' to the country's cricketers in the auction for the Indian Premier League tournament."India or any other country that does not give respect to Pakistan will be treated the same way by us. If there is a desire to improve Indo-Pak friendship, respect should be given to Pakistani sportspersons," Malik said.
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