You've hopefully read @jonathanliew's brilliant article on the silence re Pakistanis in the IPL. ()

I've been digging into this the last few weeks. Spoke to the PCB. (Tried) to speak to the BCCI.

With next year's IPL <6 months away, here's why... 1/n https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2020/oct/26/ecb-global-silence-pakistan-ipl-exile

...it's in everyone's interests - PCB, BCCI, ECB, ICC, cricket fans, players - to include Pakistan players in the IPL for first time in 13 yrs. Not just ECB who must break their silence.

(Also nuts that we're all so vocally anti-discrimination rnow & yet silent on this.) 2/n

1. IPL 2021 will be in the UAE. A frequent reason (/excuse?) apparently cited by franchises not to pick Pakistanis is uncertainty of getting a Indian visas, plus security issues & costs.

Last year's auction was too early to contemplate being outside India; this year's won't. 3/n

The UAE is an autonomous country, grants its own visas & has a high migrant Pakistani population. Visa issues vanish.

2. It's also home advantage. Pakistan have played 31 T20Is in UAE in last decade - so 31 more than India. Pakistanis know these grounds. Use that knowledge. 4/n

3. The last time they played in the tournament, a Pakistani was leading wicket-taker, was in the team crowned inaugural champs & even hit the winning runs. Great to watch.

The IPL holds itself out as the premier T20 tournament in the world. Not without Pakistan's players. 5/n

4. Everyone loves a villain (bear with me). Even if you want to just clutch at the entertainment narrative, we all know what the Indo-Pak rivalry does to viewing figures/fan engagement at ICC events.

Take advantage. What broadcaster/sponsor doesn't want more eyeballs? 6/n

5. Inequality. Not just talking towards Pakistan. IPL is a global tournament in all but name, the only domestic event to be ring-fenced by ICC so no interntl fixtures held.

CSA's CEO: "If they play the IPL in that window, then it blocks out bilateral cricket anyway."

So... 7/n

...heightened corruption risk. You've got one country missing out, on coverage, on game play & on money. Bilateral interntl fixtures being postponed/cancelled. Pakistan's internatnls amongst poorest paid in world cricket anyway. IPL exacerbates that. Hello lucrative spot-fix. 8/n

Many reasons we're in this situ, & PCB can't be absolved (hasty withdrawals/harsh NOC conditions/rhetoric). But it *is* in all interests to speak. Silence is deafening.

Anyway, I've got a lot to say, so read next month's issue of @TheCricketerMag for a long read on it all.