Cricket South Africa (CSA) has allowed its players to leave the home ODI series against Pakistan midway and take part in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
It is understood that Cricket South Africa (CSA) will allow IPL-bound South African national cricketers to leave for the IPL after the conclusion of the 2nd ODI on April 4.
The Pakistan series includes three ODI series, followed by four T20Is running till April 16. The IPL begins on April 9.
The new-ball pair of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje (both Delhi Capitals), wicketkeeper batsman Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians), power-hitter David Miller (Rajasthan Royals) and pacer Lungi Ngidi (Chennai Super Kings) are expected to be part of the group travelling straight from the Pakistan series into the IPL.
Former Players Show Disappointment on South African Cricketers Leaving National Matches For IPL
There has been some dissent shown by former Pakistan players over CSA’s decision to allow some of its star players to fly off for the IPL during an on-going international tour.
Former Pakistan captain and wicket-keeper batsman Rashid Latif stated that the two boards should have agreed upon playing with full-strength squads.
“If Pakistan had left out their five main players, would South Africa have still played with Pakistan? Then why are Pakistan playing with them? Pakistan should not play a weak team. When both boards decided on this series, they would have decided on playing their full-strength sides. You are fooling the broadcasters by playing weakened sides,” Rashid was quoted as saying on Sportskeeda.
Later, Dale Steyn, the veteran South Africa fast bowler, also took to Twitter following the announcement of South Africa’s squads and asked why the stalwarts of the national team won’t be available for the T20I series.
“I missed the reason why our big dogs aren’t playing the T20s against Pak?”, he wrote.
Notably, the IPL opener, on April 9, will be between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai. The next day the Capitals, who finished runners-up in IPL 2020, will compete against three-time champions Super Kings in Mumbai. The Royals play their first match on April 12 in Mumbai against the Punjab Kings.
