KARACHI // The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is keen for its players to participate in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2011 despite being snubbed this year.
Pakistani players have not participated in the last two editions of the IPL due to political tensions between the two countries although in the first edition in 2008 over a dozen Pakistanis played for different franchises in the Twenty20 league that attracts players from every cricketing nation.
Last year the Indian franchises did not bid for any Pakistani cricketer at the players' auction although the PCB had sent names of 10 players after giving them clearance.
Subhan Ahmed, the PCB chief operating officer, told reporters yesterday that the board had contacted the Indian cricket administrators on the issue.
"We have written to the Indian board that we are willing to provide any clearance to our players for the IPL," Ahmed said.
"We want Pakistani participation in the IPL, that is our official stand but obviously we need for the Indian board to talk to us."
Ahmed said that under new rules framed by the IPL, no Pakistani player could take part in the league for any franchise before getting clearance from both boards.
"No player can individually be approached or can approach any franchise now for a contract," he said.
The Indian government has not encouraged bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan since the militant attack in Mumbai in 2008.
Meanwhile, Ahmed also said yesterday that the country needs to host junior matches to help change the perception of their security capabilities before they seek to again stage senior internationals.
Ahmed said negotiations with a number of cricket boards were ongoing, but added that the process "will be slow and a lot will depend on security situation in Pakistan".
The PCB was negotiating with Bangladesh to host its junior team and hoped "something will materialise".
* Agencies
