Afridi says he is not disappointed to miss IPL's third edition - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Swashbuckling Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has said that he is not disappointed to miss the lucrative India Premier League (IPL) for the second consecutive time. IPL chairman Lalit Modi had ruled out the participation of Pakistani players in IPL's third edition beginning March 2010 due to an ongoing Visa problem. Afridi said he wanted to play in the cash-rich tournament, but he could do nothing about that. "I mean it would have been good to make our IPL comeback next year but it is now clear that we won't be able to do that. It's like we can't do anything about it," The News quoted Afridi, as saying. The hard-hitting all-rounder said it is actually a boon in disguise, as the team would get ample time to focus on the T20 World Cup, which also scheduled to be held in May next year. "Now that it has been decided that we are not playing (in the IPL) we will have a perfect window to hold a proper camp and get ready for the Twenty20 World Cup," Afridi said. He said the Indian cricket authorities should have been more assertive in resolving the issues, which prevented Pakistani cricketers from participating in the league. "I think Pakistan have always been supportive of Indian cricket in the past which is why I was expecting them (India) to be more positive towards us.But it seems that's not the case. I personally believe that sports promote harmony and it would have been good for both Pakistan and India if our players would have been allowed to play in the IPL," Afridi added.