After the thrilling opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season where the hosts and defending champions Gujarat Titans beat Chennai Super Kings, former Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan’s statement is going viral.
As it is known to everyone, the Pakistani players are not allowed to take part in the IPL. Despite playing the inaugural season in 2008, but due to terrorist attack the same year, the BCCI decided to ban Pakistani players from playing in the IPL.
There has been many statement from Pakistan that BCCI should allow Pakistani players in the IPL, however, there has been no change in decision.
Recently, the former Pakistan cricketer and former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has delivered a statement on the same. Khan called the BCCI arrogant for its ability to generate lot of money and not allowing Pakistani players in the IPL.
Talking to the Times Radio, Imran Khan said, “There is a lot of arrogance in the way India now behaves in the cricketing world as a superpower. Because of their ability to generate a lot of funds, more than any other country, I think they almost dictate now as a sort of the arrogance of a super power of who they should play and who they shouldn’t,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Khan further added in his statement, “I find it strange that the Indian cricket board should take it out on the Pakistan cricket players [by not allowing them to feature in the IPL] and it just reeks of arrogance, If India doesn’t allow Pakistan to play IPL then Pakistan should not worry about it because Pakistan itself has quality young cricketers.”
IPL 2023 Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings
The opening match of the IPL 2023 was played between Gujarat Titans and the Chennai Super Kings. Batting first, CSK scored 178 runs with a huge 92 runs contribution from only Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gujarat Titans were in control of the match till the last few moments, but Rashid Khan and Rahul Tewatia ensured the victory for the defending champions.
