NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain
Wasim Akram
has expressed his disappointment over the absence of
England players
from the IPL 2024 playoffs due to national commitments, highlighting a growing concern in the cricketing world. In stark contrast to
Sunil Gavaskar
, who has proposed financial penalties, Akram believes that cutting salaries will not resolve the issue.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Akram stated, "If you cut salaries, will it affect anything if your team doesn't win after reaching the playoffs? You've put in all the hard work and in the last hurdle, your boys leave because they have to play for the country. It's not fair."
He emphasized the importance of full-season availability for players in any
T20 league
, including the IPL, Pakistan Super League (PSL), or Big Bash League (BBL).
"This is what you play for. That's why it's frustrating not just for fans but owners, and captains of the teams for any league. So, I agree with Irfan [Pathan], come for the entire tournament otherwise don't come," Akram added.
Akram also criticized the England Cricket Board (
ECB
) for not issuing full No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to its players, causing disruptions for the IPL teams.
In contrast, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, writing in his column for Mid-Day, took a different approach, suggesting that financial penalties should be imposed on both players and their boards.
"I am all for players choosing country before anything else but having assured various franchises about their availability for the full season, if they pull out now, it will be letting down the franchises which probably pay them more money in one IPL season which they don't earn in a few seasons with their country," Gavaskar wrote. "The franchises should not only be allowed to deduct a substantial amount from the fee that the player was bought for, but also not give the Board, to which the player belongs, the stated 10 percent commission of the fee that each player gets."
SRH are one of the contenders: Akram
Akram, while discussing the prospects of IPL 2024 teams, highlighted Sunrisers Hyderabad as strong contenders due to their complete squad availability.
"Luckily, SRH didn't pick England players. They are definitely one of the contenders. The way their playing XI is and the manner in which they play. They have all the players, so that will give them the extra boost," he said.
However, Akram expressed concerns over Rajasthan Royals' chances in the playoffs due to the absence of key player
Jos Buttler
, who has been instrumental with two match-winning centuries this season.
"They [Rajasthan Royals] might struggle. There will be a huge difference after Jos Buttler's departure. It will be both in the playing XI as well as psychological. I hope they overcome it. If they don't, they won't win the trophy. So, it's a do-or-die for them," Akram added.
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