Journalism of Courage
The Champions League Twenty20 tournament starting on September 17 might have to proceed without Pakistan’s Faisalabad Wolves,with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) yet to get a clearance from the home ministry. With the current political tensions between India and Pakistan,cricketing ties between the two countries are on hold at the moment.
We will wait for a more couple of days and if they don’t get visas and clearances from the Indian government,we will go ahead without them. The home ministry has given no signal so far, a top BCCI official said. In case the Faisalabad team doesn’t come,we will call a meeting to discuss it. Changes will be made but no new team will replace the Wolves.
No Pakistani side has taken part in the CLT20 so far. Since the first edition of the IPL,Pakistani players haven’t found a place in IPL teams. Last year,Pakistan managed a short limited-overs tour to India and later,the CLT20 governing council decided to include their domestic T20 champions in the tournament. Now,their fate is in the hands of the home ministry.
Faisalabad are scheduled to play three qualifying matches in Mohali including a game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
