Pakistan can add to the charm of IPL: Wasim Akram
“Pakistani players Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Umar Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez are popular in India and Indian fans have realised they can add to the charm of the league,” said Wasim. -Photo by AFP
KARACHI: Wasim Akram was upbeat on Tuesday about growing signs that India and Pakistan are to resume cricketing ties, nearly four years after they were suspended following the 2008 terror attacks on Mumbai.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf is in India negotiating a revival of matches after watching the Indian Premier League (IPL) final.
India has also allowed the Sialkot Stallions to take part in October’s Champions League, the first such participation by a Pakistani team since 2008.
Wasim, who as bowling coach helped Kolkata Knight Riders win their maiden IPL title on Sunday, said there were signs of a thaw.
“I acted as an ambassador for Pakistan as everyone knows me and during my stay I have seen that people want Indo-Pak cricket to start and for me the invitation for Sialkot is the first step,” Wasim told AFP.
Pakistani players featured in the inaugural IPL in 2008 and Sialkot was due to participate in the first Champions League the same year, until the Mumbai attacks saw cricket ties suspended.
Wasim, 45, expressed his hope that the doors to the IPL will open for Pakistani cricketers next year.
“Pakistani players Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Umar Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez are popular in India and Indian fans have realised they can add to the charm of the league,” said Wasim, who played 104 Tests and 352 one-day internationals for Pakistan.
Wasim added that India not playing Pakistan was a great setback for the millions of spectators in both countries.
“I am a great advocate of Indo-Pak cricket and I hope all the issues between the two countries are solved so that millions of fans are not deprived of such entertaining cricket,” said Wasim, who led Pakistan on the tour of India in 1999.
Turning to Pakistan’s imminent tour to Sri Lanka, Wasim said: “Pakistan has done well in the past year and although it will be tough playing Sri Lanka on their home grounds I am sure this Pakistan team will do well.”
Pakistan plays two Twenty20, five one-days and three Tests on the tour of Sri Lanka, with the first Twenty20 taking place in Hambantota on Friday.
what is wrong with you people? So much hatred for what? If you have nothing constructive to say then don't spew venom, period. Such cheap and low level mentality it is sickening. Grow up you unpleasant people.
This is fun please everyone continue.
Lets test this theory Wasimbhai. Ask your paki players if they would be willing to play in the IPL for no compensation and only to improve the image of their country amongst Indians. My bet is that they will opt to back out. Proves our (Indians') point that its all about money.
There is a big misconception in Pakistan and among Pakistanis that Pakistani pleayers are very popular in India. Yes we do appreciate handful of them like Waseem Akram and Rameez Raja because they are decent guys but we certainly dont like majority of them speacially after Afridi and co. comment on Indians after world cup defeat. They are despearte to play with India just beacuse of economical reasons not beacuse they want peace with India.
In spite of being humiliated in IPL aution ,Pakistani wants IPL .Were your self pride.Not even afridi says he wont play IPL.Paisa boltha hai —-
politics and religion should not be linked to sports but unfortunately they do it.. sports bring the people closer
The primary reason for Akram to be such a awesome player is he was such an awesome person. He will be liked anywhere. BUT Akram needs to know that vast majority of Indians just do not identify with a religious nation like Pakistan which uses religion even in cricket. Just knowing why India does not like Pakistan players to tour currently is very important rather than forcing those players on India tours. In fact it is Pakistan that has bought religion into politics and nation building and thus politics into sport. To say politics should be kept out of game is foolish when you bring religion into law and politics. At the end of the day, it is not the government that invites sports persons-its the people of that country. If they do not want-then you are in trouble.
No one is talking cricket here. I am glad we are grown up.
There is a always something plotted for Pakistanis, who are first invited and then insulted!
I am sure this would be Mr. WA's pipe dream which is not going to be realized soon. More than once, Pakistan cricket management and its players have wished to be part of IPL at the risk of being ridiculed for their wish. But the attraction of Lucre is always so tempting that one even can even forego self respect. The Pakistan management and players should desist in letting their wishes made public until there is some positive political movement between two countries. That India also can not take chance to take any risk with the security of Pakistani players in an IPL match when even one misplaced incident can prove disastrous. So let us be patient and wait for the right moment.
its money thats y icc is depending upon india and india is not fair dealing its okey doesnt mater.
the only problem with pakistan is that there america iterfering in afghanistan and all the pastoon have to accomdate by pakistan due to neighbour since 80s when russia also raid. when amercan leave this area of course pakistan will became safe and then pakistan doest need any indian leage. we are waiting that time and it will become soon
Wasim Bhai,
We really respect you here in India and the work you have done as a peace ambassador of Pakistan trying.
We would love to see you as a player in IPL
My salutes to you!
After reading all the comments above most of u have so much hatred for each other that cricket is lost in between. I m a sportsman I really careless which country & what religion the sportsman is from I just love the sport.
Dear MR. Wasim Akram,
We Indians Love and Like you very much, you are One of the Pakistani Cricketers Who does Not see India through the Islamic Lens.
BUT to be Frank We don't like Pakistani Players to be Part of IPL for at least in the Near Future. The IPL is already Charming for the Last 4 seasons without Pakistani Players so let it be like that itself, and there will be Chaos instead of Charm IF pakistani players are included in IPL.
90% of Indians do not Like Pakistani players and specially Afridi as HE SAID THAT INDIANS (read Hindus) ARE PEOPLE WITHOUT BIG HEART.
SO LET IT BE SOOOOO.
That explains you having a big heart.
I have been with a few Indians and found them to be very generous and big hearted. I don't agree with Afridi on this count.
Looking forward for g8 friendship !!
Looking forward for g8 relation!!