LAHORE: Pakistan players were absent from the inaugural edition of the International League T20 (ILT20) held from January 13 to February 12 earlier this year.
The UAE-based league offered top players US$450,000 for the first season. However, the organizers were ready to offer up to USD 900,000 to Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. They were offered the captaincy alongside a three-year contract.
Along with the aforementioned trio, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hasnain were also approached by various franchises for the first season. Azam Khan was actually picked by Desert Vipers for the tournament but was later denied a no-objection certificate by the PCB.
All of them were informed that they can come to play the league only when they are away from PSL (Pakistan Super League) and national duties. Despite this, the PCB did not allow any of their players to participate in the league. The then PCB chairman Ramiz Raja also sought compensation from the Emirates Cricket Board in return for releasing the players for the league.
However, current PCB chief Najam Shetty does not take a strict stance on ILT20. Recently, during a meeting of the PSL Governing Council, he also said that it will not be possible to stop the Pakistani players now as the players are also considering forming an association to protect their rights.
Shetty believes that the PCB has a good relationship with the UAE and they can negotiate on a ‘give and take’ basis. It was suggested at the time, that the next season of Pakistan Super League (PSL) should start from Dubai, so that the event could gain publicity and attract international players.
PSL franchise owners, however, disagree with this suggestion. They believe that releasing Pakistani players and strengthening the ILT20 will be detrimental to the PSL.
According to sources, if the current administration remains in place for the next three years, Pakistani cricketers will be seen playing in the ILT-2020.
