It’s not a ‘Champions League’, says furious Miandad

KARACHI - Furious over Pakistan’s omission from the Twenty20 Champions League, former captain Javed Miandad has said that the tournament should not be termed a Champions League, as top teams from all the major cricket-playing countries would not participate in the event.

Criticizing the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) for keeping Pakistan out of the cricketing extravaganza scheduled to be held in October, Miandad expressed lament that no other cricket board raised the issue of sidelining Pakistan.

“I expected it from the Indian cricket board but it was very disappointing to see that no board has spoken out against it,” The News quoted Miandad, as saying.

He charged the BCCI of influencing the decisions of the International Cricket Council (ICC), and boards of other cricket playing countries.

“I have realized now that everything can be bought with the power of money. India with the power of its money has earned the support from all stakeholders and we find no one who could listen and support us,” Miandad said.

Earlier, the Champions League chief, Lalit Modi had declared that Pakistan would not be able to take part in the seven-nation cricket extravaganza because Pakistan cricketers are prohibited to travel to India due to government restrictions. (ANI)