Sports: Cricket Australia: Pakistan denies participation of 3 Pakistani athletes in games Down Under

BBC Sportsday (Nov15,2k12)

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Pakistan has refused Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and Umar Akmal permission to take part in the Australia's Big Bash Twenty20 competition, insisting that they prepare for next month's tour of India instead in a domestic event.

Afridi was due to play with Sydney Thunder while Ajmal had signed for Adelaide Strikers and Umar for Sydney Sixers.

"Since the Big Bash was clashing with our Twenty20 tournament we have asked the players to feature in the national event so that selectors can check their form and fitness," PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf told AFP.