Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif has advocated in favour of Pakistani cricketers’ inclusion in the Indian Premier League. Latif stated that the inclusion of Pakistani players would make IPL a bigger event than T20 World Cup.
Latif, who has previously held positions such as Afghanistan’s batting coach and Pakistan’s wicketkeeping coach is currently actively commentating around the world. In an interview with Crictracker, Latif has also claimed PSL is no match for ISL in terms of being the bigger tournament.
‘IPL vs PSL not even a debate’
“IPL versus PSL is not even a debate. If someone is thinking of as a Pakistani, then it is fine. But to analyse what is bigger and better, PSL still needs to grow,” he said on the IPL vs PSL debate raging in social media for long.
Fans of both countries want Pak players to play IPL
Speaking on Pakistani players’ inclusion in IPL, Latif said, “Whenever they are allowed to play in the IPL, the tournament will become a bigger event than even the T20 World Cup. If even a few Pakistan players play the IPL, it will surpass the T20 World Cup as a tournament. However, the issues between India and Pakistan have benefitted the ICC in the last two decades. They organise the iconic rivalry at neutral venues like it’s going to New York (in the T20 World Cup 2024).”
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He also took a dig at BCCI, claiming the cricket boards of both countries do not understand that fans of both countries want to see Pakistan players in action in IPL.
“Maybe our [India and Pakistan’s] Boards do not understand that both the teams’ fans would love to watch Pakistan players play in India. The IPL’s market is already very big; what has been missing for the last 15 years is only Pakistan cricketers,” he said.