Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram voiced his disappointment over England players missing the IPL 2024 playoffs. In contrast to Sunil Gavaskar’s viewpoint, Wasim Akram believes that cutting salaries as a form of punishment won’t address the issue effectively.
As cricket enthusiasts anticipate the first of the four T20Is between England and Pakistan commencing on May 22 in Leeds, both teams stand out for their lack of warm-up matches ahead of the T20 World Cup.
The upcoming IPL playoffs will be missing some key players from England due to a scheduling conflict with their national team commitments. This has created a bit of a stir, with both sides having valid arguments. Several England players have been crucial members for their respective IPL franchises. Jos Buttler, the explosive captain of Rajasthan Royals, is a huge loss. Similarly, Phil Salt, the wicketkeeper-batsman for Kolkata Knight Riders, has been a revelation at the top of the order, providing them with explosive starts. Other notable England players departing early include Will Jacks and Reece Topley (Royal Challengers Bangalore), and Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran (Punjab Kings). While some of these teams, like Punjab Kings, haven’t qualified for the playoffs, others, like KKR and RCB, will be looking to fill the void left by these departing players.
In Wasim Akram’s Words
The former cricketer-turned-commentator insists that players should only participate if they commit to being available for all matches, irrespective of the T20 league, be it IPL, Pakistan Super League (PSL), or Big Bash League (BBL).
Akram also criticised the England Cricket Board (ECB) for not granting full NOCs to its players, expressing his discontent during a conversation with Sportskeeda’s Match Ki Baat, he said, “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 huddle, your boys leave because they have to play for the country. It’s not fair.”
“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.”
Irfan Pathan recently took to X, writing, “Either be available for full season or don’t come!”
What Gavaskar Said
Recently, Gavaskar indirectly criticised the ECB, suggesting the imposition of a penalty. In his latest column for Mid-Day, he expressed his sentiments, “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.”
“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.
“If the Board has gone back on its assurance they need to be penalised too.”
Wasim Akram picks Strong Contender for IPL 2024
Meanwhile, Wasim Akram identified Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as a major contender for the IPL 2024 title, citing the availability of all players as a key factor contributing to their strength. He remarked, “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.”
SRH secured the second position in the IPL 2024 points table and is set to encounter Kolkata Knight Riders in Qualifier 1 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 21st.
Conversely, Akram believes that the Rajasthan Royals’ prospects in the playoffs could be impacted by Jos Buttler’s absence, noting his pivotal role with two match-winning centuries against Royal Challengers Bangalore and KKR during this season. He stated, “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.”
RR will face RCB in IPL 2024 Eliminator in Ahmedabad on May 22.