Should Pakistan players be allowed to play in the IPL?

International Cricket Council President Zaheer Abbas has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India to consider having Pakistani players back in the Indian Premier League.

He told the media in Lahore that if Pakistani players are included in the Twenty20 tournament, "it would raise the importance and status of the league".

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The former Pakistan captain will be in Bangalore later this week to watch the final of the IPL's ninth edition on the invitation of the new BCCI president Anurag Thakur.

He also called for the revival of bilateral cricket ties between Pakistan and India.

"I have accepted the invitation (to watch the IPL final) and it is a good opportunity for me to again highlight the importance of resuming bilateral cricket ties although they are obviously subject to government clearances," he said.

Pakistani cricketers took part in the inaugural edition of the IPL, but after the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 the BCCI stopped inviting them for the lucrative league.

Talking about the desirability of resumption of bilateral cricketing ties, Abbas, who will step down as ICC President at end of July, said everyone wants to see Pakistan and India play against each other as it's the most-watched cricket contest in the world.

"I think any government hurdles in the way of having a bilateral series should be removed," he added.

With the curtain coming down on the ninth edition of the IPL on Sunday, the BCCI, as also the eight franchises in the league, will surely take up Abbas's request in the coming months.

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