India Pakistan League (IPL)

Recently Shahid Afridi called out BCCI for including Pakistani players back in cash rich IPL. According to him, they would have no problems playing in India as they easily played in the World Cup. And this will also result in good relationship between Pakistan and India. After the Mumbai attacks, every franchise considered Pakistan players untouchables and avoided taking them. In 2008, he was the costliest Pakistani player to be picked in IPL at $675,000 by Deccan Chargers.
Also Sohail Tanvir was the most successful bowler in the first season of IPL. In the third season, Pakistani players name were there, but no player was picked. This was the time when Pakistan won the T20 World Cup. Franchise said they avoided Pakistani players because they were doubtful of their availability and don't want to risk their money on them.
Do you suspect any politics involved in this. In the previous two seasons, security concerns related to Mumbai terror attacks were shown to avoid Pakistani players.
I think, IPL is a great medium where players can play their natural games, without the hype surrounding some classics matches like India-Pakistan and Australia-England. Its a fast paced game. I think they should be allowed to play in IPL. What do you think. Do you think Indian Government is pressurizing franchisees not to pick Pakistani players. Should they be allowed to play in IPL.
I have kept a poll just beside this post. Cast your vote in that

The worlds richest board given tax exemption by India

Recently one of the worlds richest sports board ICC was given 45 crores tax exemption by the Indian Government. This move has been questioned even by the members of the ruling party. The board has no shortage of funds. Given that Sharad Pawar was present in the Union Cabinet meeting and he is the current chairman of ICC, we can understand at whose behest this tax exemption has been given. The question is was it necessary to give this tax exemption. This was at a time, when the government is at shortage of funds and budget of Sports Ministry for various events is being slashed. Prafful Patel, a MP from the same party as of Sharad Pawar suggested that law provides for such an exemption. But if that is the case why tax these boards at all. Do we will always looks for the loopholes in laws. The democratic tax system always say that take taxes from those who are capable and give to those who are not taxable.
Also ICC recently banned journalists from the matches but after some backlash they allowed the journalists to cover the matches.
Do you think its such a good move.

150 days of Kricket

Ever wondered how much cricket are we exposed to in a year.  I tried to find the stats, through ESPN statsguru.
In 2010, India played around 14 tests, 27 one day and 7 T20 matches . Considering each test matches of 5 days, these are equal to
14 *5 =70 days
(27 +7 )* 1 = 34 days
 This makes a total of 104 days.  Now IPL was of 44 days.  This makes it total of 148 days.  This makes 40% of the days in a year.  Now some people in India are just mad about cricket.  They follow match day in and day out even if they are very late in to night.  Apart from that leave other forms of cricket played at local level.  
And believe me this year the count would be even higher, given the world cup and 51 days of IPL (again).
Also found this nice video.  Its title is Kricket se aapko kya mila.
Seriously I don't understand what people are getting watching this much cricket.  If you know, please lets us know by the comment section.