Pakistan players will not feature in the second edition of the Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi has confirmed.
Eleven Pakistan players who participated in the IPL last year while five more had been included on a list of over 100 players drawn up for an auction ahead of this year`s tournament. But Pakistan's Foreign Office, however, refused to grant permission to players to travel to India due to deteriorating diplomatic and political ties between the countries.
"We have informed the IPL and the Board of Control for Cricket in India of the Pakistan's government's decision not to allow players to travel to India for the IPL," Pakistan Cricket Board's chief operating officer Saleem Altaf said.
The five players included for Friday's auction were removed from the list, which was trimmed down to just 43 players overall.
"The Pakistan Cricket Board has informed us that no Pakistan players will be allowed to play in the IPL," Modi confirmed.
"This is something which is beyond our control."
The majority of Pakistan's players who had participated in the first edition have three-year contracts in place with the IPL.
Champions Rajasthan Royals will be the hardest hit as they will now be without left-arm seamer Sohail Tanvir, the highest wicket-taker in the Twenty20 competition last year with 21.
The Jaipur-based team have two other Pakistan players in their ranks, while Kolkata Knight Riders have the maximum number of four.
But the Pakistan's government's decision also means the IPL franchisees will not have to pay these players.
