‘Window of Possibility’ Open for Pak Cricketers in IPL3: Modi

Clearly indicating a shift towards a spirit of accommodation, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has said that a ‘window of possibility’ is still open for Pakistani cricketers to play in IPL-3 and in the Champions League later this year, reported The Times of India.

Also, Pakistan T20 captain Shahid Afridi too looked prepared to ‘forgive and forget’ and said that he was willing to play in India if picked up by an IPL team, said report.

Modi’s statement came a day after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram slammed IPL organizers saying that it had done a ‘disservice to cricket’ by overlooking Pakistani players during the auction.

“Some teams have still not finished their quota of players and some players could drop out. Franchises can choose Pakistani players as replacements or to fill vacancies,” Modi was quoted as saying.

However, he said that there was no mishandling in the issue, the government had ‘no say’ in the auction and it was the franchisees’ decision to not pick Pakistan players, said report.

Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi showed his willingness to play in India.

“When you think about it, Pakistan and India have much more in common than there are differences. We need to build our relations rather than break them. Sport should be used to build peace between our great nations, not break them… Although Pakistan and India have borders, these borders cannot divide humanity,” he was quoted as saying.