'Pak players not to play in IPL till resumption of cricket ties between both sides'

Karachi, Apr 9(ANI): Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajeev Shukla has stressed that Pakistani players will not play in the Indian Premier League until the resumption of cricket ties between both sides.

He added there was no campaign or hatred against Pakistan and that he himself felt sad that Pakistani cricketers were not featuring in the IPL.

"No one is against Pakistan or Pakistani players in India or else we would not have allowed Pakistani commentators or umpires in the IPL 5 season. The reality is that everything is tied to the resumption of bilateral cricket ties between the two countries. Once that happens I think everything will happen automatically," Shukla was quoted, as saying.

He said that BCCI and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were in constant touch over the resumption of bilateral ties, The Daily Times reports.

"We are in touch with them and I must say the PCB and its new chairman have made all the right moves to get the ball rolling. But until something definite happens It would not be proper for me to comment on when we can resume playing cricket again," he added.

Shukla hinted that some developments could take place within the next two or three months.

"If we talk about the Champions League then just wait and see for a few months. I don't think we should be pessimistic about Indo-Pak bilateral relations but remain optimistic," he added. (ANI)