Gag order for Pakistan cricketers

Karachi:

Pakistani cricketers have been told not to speak on the Indian Premier League as contradicting statements from players are adding to the existing confusion over their participation in the Twenty20 event.

"The team management in Australia has been asked to advice the players from avoiding making comments on the IPL while the sports management company which represents some of these players has also told them not to say too much," sources told PTI.

Two leading newspapers carried two completely different statements of all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Wednesday.

Afridi was quoted as saying by the 'Dawn' that he has condoned the people responsible for humiliation caused to his country's crickters at the Mumbai auction and is willing to play in IPL if invited.

However, 'Jang' quoted him as saying that this year he "will not go to the IPL at any cost not even with the South Australian team in the Champions League after the way they insulted us at the auction".

There is confusion abuot Abdul Razzaq's participation as some reports say he has been offered a contract by Deccan Chargers but the reigning champions have denied it saying they do not have a slot for any foreign player.