CSA

Picture Credit: AFP

Cricket South Africa (CSA) will reportedly allow its IPL-bound cricketers to leave the home series against Pakistan mid-way and join their respective franchises for the 14th edition of the T20 tournament. While the ODI series between South Africa and Pakistan begins on April 2, it will be followed by the T20Is starting April 10. Meanwhile, IPL 2021 is scheduled to commence on April 9 with the defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the season opener in Chennai.

It is further being reported that the Proteas stars participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) would be allowed to leave for India on April 4 after the second ODI. However, several former Pakistan cricketers turned pundits have not taken a liking to the South Africa board's decision to allow its players to play in the IPL when an international series is already scheduled.

Experts, cricketers question CSA's decision

Among other such names, Rashid Latif, thinks that the visitors should cancel the tour after CSA's decision. He said that there is no point in Pakistan playing a second string South Africa unit.

"If Pakistan had left out their five main players, would South Africa have still played with Pakistan? Then why are Pakistan playing with them? Pakistan should not play a weak team. When both boards decided on this series, they would have decided on playing their full-strength sides. You are fooling the broadcasters by playing weakened sides," Rashid was quoted as saying on Sportskeeda.

Earlier, South Africa senior pacer Dale Steyn had also admitted to being surprised by the board's decision. "I missed the reason why our big dogs aren’t playing the T20s against Pak?", he had tweeted.