The IPL had already meant that New Zealand’s top stars the likes of Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and others would not be playing the international series against Pakistan.
There is little doubt that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest cricketing board in the world. While it was always among the most influential, in recent years, it has stepped up its revenue generation game and has immensely benefited from the Indian Premier League. The tournament is said to be a mega revenue generator for the Indian Cricket Board who use the money to invest in further cricketing infrastructure.
Perhaps that is the reason why the BCCI wanted desperately to finish the IPL 2021 somehow since a cancellation would have meant huge financial implications. They have even made stricter bio-bubble arrangements this time around and are hoping to have smooth conduct of the tournament. Other than that, BCCI also offers the best of facilities, in terms of umpires, referees, technology, broadcasters to make IPL the biggest cricketing spectacle on the planet.
Recent action from the BCCI was enough to indicate what they can do if they have really made up their mind. The BCCI has reportedly hired three Decision Review System (DRS) crews to operate during the IPL by paying them not double or triple but four times more than what they were being offered by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a series against New Zealand.
Consequently, the crews have all been onboarded by IPL and the Pakistan-New Zealand series will not have DRS. The IPL had already meant that New Zealand’s top stars the likes of Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and others would not be playing the international series against Pakistan and now the recent DRS deal by BCCI has added salt to their wounds.
Here is how the netizens reacted to the news:
Pakistan vs newzealand ODIs will not be the part of ODI world league because of non availability of DRS is the most ridiculous thing today to hear. Wtf Pakistan management doing. Who throws away home series like that. #NewZealand#PAKvNZ
— Ahtasham (@PPRetouching101) September 11, 2021
Imran khan told me to bring back pakistan cricket to 90s, where we were so aggressive. So I decided to not use DRS because there was no DRS in 90s, Says #rameezraja#PAKvNZ
— Ahmad Fawad Khan (@Ahhmad_Fawad) September 11, 2021
Three-match ODI Series between Pakistan vs New Zealand won't be part of the ODI Super League as DRS is not available for the series.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 11, 2021
So basically they're playing village cricket.
— James Thomas (@Nick_James66) September 11, 2021
Three-match ODI Series between Pakistan vs New Zealand won't be part of the ODI Super League as DRS is not available for the series.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 11, 2021
Gareeb bechare
— Abhijeet Vishwakarma (@nowwin8) September 11, 2021
Haha partcice match 😆😆😆
— Kavin (@Kavin4103) September 11, 2021
IPL 2021 is set to resume from September 19 with a blockbuster of a game between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. The match will played at the Dubai International Stadium. The action will then shift to Abu Dhabi where the Royal Challengers Bangalore will be up against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Sharjah is the third venue that will host IPL 2021. The final of the competition is scheduled on October 15.
