Full article: Pakistan out in the cold
- The Pakistan government banned its players from participating in the IPL after political relations with India deteriorated in the wake of November's terror attacks in Mumbai, which New Delhi blamed on militants based across the border.
- "The event's moved out of India, there are no Pakistani players playing, so interest in our country has definitely gone down," said Raja, who as a television commentator, will be the only Pakistani involved in this year's IPL. Even Pakistan’s two world class umpires, Aleem Dar and Asad Rauf, were left out in the cold.
- But Raja feels there will be a change in attitudes for the second half of the competition which stretches over five weeks and ends on May 24.
"With hardly any international cricket in mid-May the fans will turn towards the IPL and the GEO super sports channel showing the matches is also drumming up the event," said Raja. - Pakistan captain Younus Khan said the IPL will suffer due to the absence of players from his country.
"Pakistani players are hugely popular in India, so even after the shift, the fans will miss them," said Younus who withdrew from IPL champions Rajasthan Royals squad this year even before the government's banning order. - Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who despite playing only four games for Kolkata Knight Riders was a huge attraction, still hopes for a return.
"Without Pakistani players the event has lost its charm. I still hope if the franchises want us we would be included," said Akhtar.
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