“No excuse, but it has been,” Mickey Arthur says not playing in IPL is a DISADVANTAGE for Pakistani players

Ahead of their important match with New Zealand, Mickey Arthur admits the team is at an disadvantage as they missed out on the IPL.

“No excuse, but it has been,” Mickey Arthur says not playing in IPL is a DISADVANTAGE for Pakistani players

Mickey Arthur said the Pakistan team played their best game against Bangladesh. (Image via ESPN)

Pakistan will face New Zealand in a virtual quarter final for them. If they lose, their chances of qualifying for the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup semi finals will take a huge hit. There is only a two point difference between the two teams and Pakistan’s win would get them level. Ahead of that match, Mickey Arthur said it was a disadvantage for the Pakistan team for not playing in the IPL. 

In a press conference before their clash with New Zealand, Mickey Arthur was asked if the Pakistan players not playing in the IPL was a disadvantage. Arthur said there was a disadvantage, but he won’t use it as an excuse. 

YouTube video
No excuse, but it has been. And the interesting thing has been that every ground we've been to has been a new venue for our players, which is exciting.
Mickey Arthur in a press conference 

Mickey also added that as it was the first time the team was in India, it was tough for them to get used to it. He said the team hasn’t played to their full potential but their game against Bangladesh was their first “complete game.”

Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League

In the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League, players all around the world were bought by the 8 teams playing. 11 Pakistani players were bought in the IPL Auction, with stars like Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir and Umar Gul. Kamran Akmal and Tanvir were in the squad of the Rajasthan Royals as well, the team to win the first IPL. Tanvir also was the first Purple Cap winner, picking up 22 wickets. Along with that, he held the record for the best bowling figures, 6/14, for 11 years until Alzarri Joseph took 6/12. 

Sohail Tanvir
Sohail Tanvir was the first Purple Cap winner of the IPL (Image via ESPN)

After the 2008 Mumbai Attacks, which was planned by Pakistani terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, the BCCI decided to ban all Pakistani players from the IPL. This ban meant all teams had to release Pakistani players and they were not allowed to enter the IPL auction as well. Azhar Mahmood, a Pakistan international player had played in the IPL for Kings XI Punjab, but was allowed to play as he was a dual British citizen.

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