SAARC Diary: India Opens Border With Nepal: Sohail Khan Buys Team in Sri Lanka Premier League
NEW DELHI, Oct 22: India on Thursday re-opened its border with Nepal after nearly seven months of pandemic-infused closure, but the Nepal government refused to reciprocate.
Nepal instead deployed additional paramilitary personnel on its side of the border with India to stop people’s movement across the border line.
Nepal Armed Police Force (AFP) officials said their government had ordered closure of the border till November 15 “and no one is allowed to enter the country for now.”
The opening of the border, which was closed on March 23, was received well by locals in Raxaul border. However, the decision of the Nepal government dampened their spirit.
The Indian Government in view of the day to day problems being faced by the people in the region, allowed opening of the border from 6 am on Thursday.
Sri Lankan Premier League:
Controversy has erupted over an India film artist Sohail Khan, brother of noted Bollywood hero Salman Khan, buying a team in the Sri Lankan Premier League in which a number of Pakistani present and former players are participating.
Salman Khan was dragged into the controversy but Sohail Khan sought to clear him and his father Salim Khan, a well-known film story writer, by claiming that buying “Kandy Tusker,” one of the five teams to participate in the LPL starting from November 21, was his personal decision and his family was not involved.
Sohail in, a tweet stated, “extremely glad to confirm my participation in the #lpl20cricket as Team Owner. Howsoever To clarify the misrepresentation in media, my participation is in my personal capacity with no involvement of my family in the League or the Team. Let the game begin November 2020.”
His denial notwithstanding, reports said Sohail along with his father Salim Khan are a part of the consortium “Sohail Khan International LLP” which bought the team. The Registry of Companies (ROC) also mentions Salim Khan as a director in the company.
In an official communiqué Sohail said, “There is lot of potential in the Lanka Premier League and we are really very happy to be part of this exciting initiative. Sri Lankan fans are very passionate about the game and I am sure they will come out in large numbers to support the team. We have a very good team, a good balance of youth and experience, and I am backing my team to play the final,” the actor added.
Many of the international players currently participating in the IPL in the UAE, are due to play in the LPL too. From India, only two players Manpreet Gony, who represented India in two one day international (ODIs) and 44 IPL games and Manvinder Singh Bisla who has played 35 IPL, figure in the list of players in the LPL.
(Venkatesh Iyer)
