Saiful Kaiser

"Pakistan players close to IPL return!" they said. "Sohail Tanvir to lead the Rajasthan Royals' pace attack!" they said. "Pakistan board and the league clear the paperwork required for players to return after a one-year gap!" they said, adding that of the eleven Pakistanis who had taken part in the first IPL, though after the Mumbai attacks, only four were retained by their franchises, though their contracts were suspended.

So what is the situation now? It is still the same meaning that nothing is guaranteed so far that the Pakistani players will end up playing in the IPL, and at the same time nothing says that they will not play.

The Pakistan board maintains they have no objections this time round to their players participating in the IPL

The IPL is playing hard to get and first gave the Pakistanis until November 20 (that was two days ago) said on Monday, to get the paperwork straightened: NOCs from the Pakistani government, which the Pakistanis say they have already sent and now want the IPL to send invitation letters to the Pakistani players they want to play.

IPL says that they will do all they can to facilitate the return of the Pakistanis

specially after the Pakistanis took home the World Twenty20 title this year. Also the IPL has noticed how everyone is saying they are currently the best Twenty20 side (they won their last seven games and also reached the final of the first World Twenty20 in 2007). The third IPL will be held in March-April 2010. Some say that though they are saying this time they will play in India, one can never be sure if it will not move to South Africa, USA or Turkey.