New Delhi: Hockey India League today sent back all 9 Pakistani players home amid growing sub-continental border tensions.
The players who went back are: Fareed Ahmed, Imran Butt, Mahmood Rashid and Muhammad Tousiq (all Mumbai Magicians); Muhammad Rizwan Sr. and Muhammad Rizwan Jr. (Delhi Waveriders); Muhammad Irfan and Shafqat Rasool (Ranchi Rhinos); and Kashif Shah (Jaypee Punjab Warriors).
“Due to extraordinary circumstances, it has been decided to send the nine Pakistan players home,†Hockey India chief and the league’s main organiser Narinder Batra told reporters in New Delhi.
“The decision was made in consultation with the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and International Hockey Federation (FIH),” he said.
“The interests of the players will be protected and they will be paid the full fees due to them. It was a mutual decision between us and the Pakistan Hockey Federation.â€
The 34-match HIL, sanctioned by the sport’s world governing body, features top stars from around the world playing for five city-based franchises till February 10.
Trouble began on Sunday in Mumbai when the city’s franchise was forced to cancel its team’s practice session after protests from the right-wing nationalist Shiv Sena party.
The entire squad, coached by Australian Ric Charlesworth, shifted base to New Delhi as league organisers speculated whether Mumbai could host the six matches allotted to it, the first one scheduled for January 20.