Won’t request BCCI to let Pakistan players compete in IPL: Ehsan Mani

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani has stated that won’t request the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow Pakistan players to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The world's richest cricket league, starting on September 19, is being held in United Arab Emirates this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mani firmly believes that the political tensions between the two countries have to ease before resuming bilateral cricketing ties.   

"Over the years, the PCB has had a number of discussions with the BCCI regarding bilateral cricket. Whether it is T20 cricket or bilateral, all things are in the hands of the BCCI. At this moment I don't have any intention of playing any T20 league with India. First, they have to sort out the bilateral (political) relations with us, and then we will talk," Mani told IANS.  

He also urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take a look at the government’s interference in Indian cricket.

"I am not talking to the BCCI about bilateral cricket. It is up to them to speak to us if they have something to say. The ICC (International Cricket Council) constitution says there should be no government interference. So, I think ICC should be talking to them [BCCI]," he said.

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The former ICC president also spoke about his relationship with previous BCCI chiefs, while comparing it with the current situation.

"I had enough discussions with Mr Dalmiya; not just him but with Mr Sharad Pawar and going back to the time of Mr Madhavrao Scindia. We have had very, very good and open relations with the BCCI. Over the last 12 years, I find the relationship is not what it used to be. There has to be trust and openness on both sides and honesty in dealing with each other," he said.

"To find that the relationship was not what it used to be, I was surprised and disappointed when I came back (as PCB chairman in August 2018). A lot of improvement can be done on this. We could talk to anybody (in normal times), but it takes two hands to clap," Mani added.