THE Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reacted with fury and disappointment after all of its players were left unsold in the Indian Premier League auction.

Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi headed a well-decorated group of 11 Pakistan players who made the final list for the auction in Mumbai yesterday, but none of them was bought. Afridi’s agent claimed that franchises had been advised not to bid for Pakistan players, while also criticising the Indian government’s stance on working visas.

Now PCB chairman Ijaz Butt has had his say. “We are highly disappointed because we were hoping they (Pakistan’s players) would play,” Butt said.

“The IPL had given us the mandate to get permission from our foreign office, to obtain other clearances and to finalise visas.

“We did all this, but it is a surprise that none of them have been taken at the auction.

“We have been trying to get in touch with the concerned authorities but with no avail.

“I have asked the sports minister (Ijaz Jakhrani) to speak to his counterpart in India about this,” he said.

Butt said he was aggrieved by the manner in which his players were treated.

“I agree this is a private event, but to be excluded without giving any reason and without looking at the background is unfair,” he said.

“If they had told us we would have told the boys not to apply at all.” (Eurosport)