We always support India… expected more from them: Afridi

Shahid Afridi admitted that he was surprised to learn that Pakistan players wouldnt be a part of IPL III,but added that...

Shahid Afridi admitted that he was surprised to learn that Pakistan players wouldnt be a part of IPL III,but added that it would give them more time prepare for the World Twenty20 Championships in the West Indies next year.

IPL 3 will be played between March 12 to April 25,and the world event,where Pakistan will be defending their title,kicks off five days later.

It would have been good to make our IPL comeback next year but it is now clear that we wont be able to do that. Its like we cant do anything about it, Afridi was quoted as saying by The News.

But now that we are not playing (in the IPL) we will have a perfect window to hold a proper camp and get ready for the Twenty20 World Cup.

Afridi also said the IPL decision came as a surprise to him. Pakistan have always been supportive of Indian cricket in the past,which is why I was expecting them (India) to be more positive towards us, the skipper said. But it seems thats not the case. I personally believe that sport promotes harmony and it would have been good for both Pakistan and India had our players been allowed in the IPL.

Insult to Pakistan

Meanwhile,Pakistans sports minister Aftab Shah Jillani lashed out at the IPL saying that the league used flimsy grounds to snub his countrys cricketers. Jillani described the denial of permission to play in IPL III as an insult to Pakistan.

If the IPL didnt want our players to take part why did they bother to even ask the cricket board to furnish all government clearances for the players, Jillani said. He said the sports ministry had worked overtime to get clearances from the foreign and interior ministries for the PCB.

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We did our part because we wanted our players to take part in the IPL this time. But I am afraid the way the IPL has snubbed our players on flimsy grounds is an insult to us.