Pak players seek compensation for IPL ban

Pakistan cricketers are hoping for compensation from their board after being barred from taking place in the Indian Premier League this year for political reasons, according to a report.

The affected players had sent a letter to Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari, who is also patron of the Pakistan Cricket Board, saying the government's ban on its players taking part in the lucrative IPL was an unnecessary initiative. The newspaper quoted an unnamed Pakistan player confirming that a letter had been sent to Zardari asking for compensation

If the IPL had moved first to ban Pakistani players, they would have had "a golden opportunity to demand a reasonable compensation from the IPL organizers" but the government's pre-emptive move had negated that opportunity. Afridi ,the highest paid Pakistan player in last year's IPL was signed for $675,000 by Hyderabad's Deccan Chargers

Pakistan's foreign ministry ruled earlier this month that the political environment was not conducive for Pakistan players to take part in the IPL given last year's Mumbai terrorist attacks which India had blamed on Pakistani militants. Those attacks also prompted India to call off a scheduled tour to Pakistan.