SRK bats for snubbed Pak cricketers

Mumbai, Jan. 25 (ANI): Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has expressed disappointment over the apparent snub to Pakistani players by Indian Premier League bidders.

"I truly believe Pakistan players should have been chosen," The Dawn quoted the Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner, as saying.

Although there were "some issues", the matter could have been handled by the IPL "respectfully", Khan said.

"They are the champions, they are wonderful but somewhere down the line there is an issue and we can't deny it," Khan said in an interview with a news channel.

No Pakistani player was bought by the eight Indian clubs during an auction on Tuesday for the third edition of the glitzy IPL.

Khan said it was humiliating to him as a KKR owner that no one bid for the Pakistani players despite them being put up for auction.

"We are known to invite everyone. We should have. If there were any issues, they should have been put on board earlier. Everything can happen respectfully. Everyday we blame Pakistan, everyday Pakistan blames us. It is an issue," he added.

Khan, who had five players from Pakistan playing for KKR in IPL's first edition, said the youth should avoid all that is said about India and Pakistan by the politicians.

"Pakistan is a great neighbour to have. We are great neighbours, They are good neighbours. Let us love each other. Let me be honest. My family is from Pakistan, my father was born there and his family is from there," he added. (ANI)