Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi has said that Pakistani players have always been welcomed in India and it is foolish to think there is some sort of conspiracy to keep them out of the IPL season three.
"We have always welcomed Pakistani cricketers in India and they will be part of IPL season four," Modi told the Geo news channel.
Modi said that Pakistani cricketers would play in IPL season four and would hopefully be part of the two new franchises that would be included in the next IPL season.
"But I think the Pakistan cricket Board also needs to adopt a positive mindset towards the IPL, like always we have always welcomed Pakistani cricketers to India," he said.
Modi said it was a misconception that the Indian cricket board was behind the decision of franchises not to bid for Pakistani cricketers in the players auction for season three.
"We can't force the franchises to bid for players from any country in the players auction. It is their team and they are free to decide which players they want. How can anyone blame the BCCI for this?" Modi added.
Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ejaz Butt recently told a Senate standing committee on sports hearing that Modi had told the franchises not to bid for Pakistani players as they were lot of security issues linked to them playing in India.
{{/usCountry}}Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ejaz Butt recently told a Senate standing committee on sports hearing that Modi had told the franchises not to bid for Pakistani players as they were lot of security issues linked to them playing in India.
{{/usCountry}}Pakistan has also described the IPL snub to its players as a deliberate attempt to humiliate them after including them in the players auction list.