Indian Premier League For Cricket

The huge money, the glamour and limited tournament time of IPL has many players salivating. They would gladly quit playing for their country if offered a chance to play in the IPL. A whopping 50 percent of the players polled some time ago said that they would rather play the IPL than for their own countries!!

Md. Asif can not expect any help from the PCB this time around. Asif has been bailed out on more than one occassion on drug charges. He and Shoaib Akhtar were first banned a few years ago and came out of it with the PCB backing. Again last month Asif was detained in Dubain for drug possession. He was brought home with the help of the PCB and Pakistan Government. But the latest episode is the last straw that broke the camel’s back.  PCB has said Asif will have to fight his own battles and bear his own expesense. Drugs and doping are serious charges that the Board is not willing to help repeat offenders.

During the IPL - the players were routinely tested for drugs and doping. One of the results came positive. It has now been revealed that MD. Asif might be the player who has tested postive. Asif was in fact in custody in Dubai for several weeks because he was in possession of a banned drugs. Some high powered pressure from the Cricket Board and goverment of Pakistan helped to bring the troubled player home. Now, it is has come to light that Asif has tested positive.

Asif has not applied for any exemption for using the drugs for medicinal reasons.

The findings have been sent to all concerned - including his franchise owner, the PCB and the player himself regarding the result of the testing.

Players voluntarily dropping out of national sides is unheard of. Atleast in India. Most Indian players will be outraged, disappointed, angry, sad if they were not selected for national side. Even if they were not playing well, even if they had fitness issues, even if they had to have some much needed rest. Several players, have risked serious injuries, back problems, knee problems to continue playing. It is indeed rare for a player to say enough. Dhoni has done that.

Dhoni made a few millions during the IPL. So, that would have given enough confidence to walk out of the national side for a brief rest and recuperation after the hectic schedule that he has been playing.

Is anybody at the BCCI is listening?

The IPL Season coincides with the Sri Lankan Tour of England next year. Guess what? The Sri Lankan players in the IPL are up in revolt. They  don’t want to miss the IPL for the English tour.  Any guess who is going to win this round. Let’s see…