MODIfied Rules - Irked Pakistan!!!

Expectedly whenever the IPL time is around there has to be drama and controversy surrounding it. This time also its no different, if last year it was the tiff between the IPL governing body and Union Government of India, on the matter of scheduling the tournament some time later or somewhere else due to a clash of dates with the general elections in the country, this time the controversy has risen in the face of non inclusion of Pakistani players in the tournament. And trust me this is just the beginning, with Mr. Shrewd aka Mr. Modi still at the helm of the things, expect MORE as the tournament starts and eventually progresses to the crucial stages. Honestly speaking I am not a big fan of T20 cricket at all, as I fall into the league of those guys who still enjoy and follow Test Cricket religiously and are the real connoisseurs of that format but the reason why I still follow this short format is because of the glamour, drama, and controversies surrounding it and not to forget the little bit of cricket too which is played between all this. This year too we will have those last over matches, may be even the last ball cliffhangers, in fact we might also see the super over thrillers but I will watch this edition of IPL more so for the drama and glitterati surrounding the tournament rather than the cricketing reasons, because I don’t believe T20 is cricket at all, for cricket we have Test Matches and to some extent ODIs. T20s are like those steamy foreplays sessions which are indeed incomplete without a marathon main courseJ

However if just talk about the controversy of this season, it is actually hard to adjudge what is right and what is not. Because if think from the commercial standpoint of the franchises, what they have done by not picking up the Pakistani players seems quite practical. With such a great degree of uncertainty attached to the participation of these players due to a deadlock of dialogue between the two governments, added with an ever looming threat of another 26/11, compounded by the constant threat from idiotic factions like MNS and Shiv Sena, its obviously prudent on their part, not to splurge crores of money on such players whose chances of playing the tournament are abysmal. One can argue that government should provide security beef up and ascertain an environment where every sportsman can play and exhibit his skill, as that will be the best thing possible for the game of cricket, but is it really needed???? Are we financially so viable that we can afford to apportion a big chunk of our finances in giving security cover for the smooth functioning of a club level tournament where the interest and pride of the nation is not directly involved. If it would been the same scenario for the hosting of World Cup of Cricket, things would have been understandably different, because it would have been an international event and would have involved our country’s pride, and being a good host we are expected to treat our guests as Gods. But being in such a poverty struck scenario, fighting the demons of cold waves, floods, drought, swine flu and don’t know what else, it would be an absolute injustice to the common interest of our nation to let such a contingent of players participate in this event at such a huge expense.

On the contrary we are also celebrating the probable concept of IndoPak love affair by the medium of ‘Aman ki Asha’. In such a scenario we must forget everything, even the bloody days of 26/11 and welcome our neighbors and allow them to participate in this highly popular and successful event. Because sports should always be kept away from politics and also sports heals the wounds faster than any other means. So why this apathy towards our neighbors? After all they are the World Champions of this format and how can one boast of a world class tournament without the participation of these world class players. Also what wrong these players of Pakistanhave done to receive such a step mom treatment? In all probability they aren’t the part of Lashkar-e-Taiba or Hizbul Muzaheedin or Al-Qaeda, neither they share there dressing rooms with the likes of Ajmal Kasab and co., so by that logic they should be welcomed and allowed to play like any other international super star.

If we ponder on both sides of the coin, it is actually very hard to choose one of them as the right side. The drama, the controversy and the argument will go on endlessly but one thing which still boggles me is that when all the franchisees were so sure about not bidding for any of the Pakistani player, why were their names retained in the auction list? This actually made things a lot worse and it was really insulting for each of those players, also for the Pakistan Cricket Board and even for the nation of Pakistan. Such a scenario should have been definitely avoided and should have been handled with much more grace. Anyways its time to move on and get ready for the next set of drama which would be unfolded and popped out very soon from the Pandora of Mr. Modi. Let the fun begin!!!

--

kin...