Press Trust of India
Karachi, Dec 15: Many of the Pakistani players who went to Bangladesh to play in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) returned home Monday and Tuesday with bitter memories and unhappy at being sidelined by the team owners and management.
Foremost among them is Pakistan’s test captain Misbah ul-Haq who was sidelined by the Rangpur Riders management for his team’s last seven matches while preference was given to other foreign signings including Afghanistan’s little known Muhammad Nabi.
“I can’t say much on this but I guess the team owners and coaches know what was required. But it was not easy sitting on the bench for so long,” Misbah said on his arrival here.
Misbah’s omission has surprised many in the Pakistan cricket circles while others like Kamran Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Akmal and Wahab Riaz have also returned home unhappy at being given the cold shoulder treatment.
“I had made it clear to my franchise owners and management that I wanted to open in the BPL but after just two matches I didn’t get any proper response,” Kamran said. “I didn’t go there (BPL) only for the money. I went as I thought the event would allow me to further remind the selectors I am doing well,” he added.
Pakistan’s fast bowler Wahab also decided it was better to return home midway through the BPL and walk the ramp in Lahore rather than sit and waste his time in Dhaka.
“Obviously it is not easy to be ignored like this for the majority of the matches. It has been tough on Misbah but he has handled himself well,” Wahab who also appeared for Rangpur said.
Fast bowler Sohail Khan also got just one match for Dhaka Gladiators during his three-week stay in Bangladesh while spinner Saeed Ajmal played in just two matches before being dumped on the sidelines.
Seventeen players from Pakistan were signed by the BPL franchises but only left-arm pacer Mohammad Aamir enjoyed himself playing in all the matches for Chittagong Vikings.
