That is despite belatedly securing clearance from both governments.  Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Gul, Kamran Akmal and Sohail Tanvir have secured visas, but IPL chief Lalit Modi says they missed the 7 December deadline.

As a result, three franchises have already replaced Pakistan players with alternatives from South Africa Bangalore Royal Challengers have secured South Africa's Roelof van der Merwe in place of Misbah, Charl Langeveldt has replaced Gul at Kolkata Knight Riders while Rajasthan Royals - who have both Akmal and Tanvir on their books - have brought in Johan Botha.

In the inaugural IPL season of 2008, 11 Pakistan players took part, but they were banned from the 2009 competition after the Mumbai terrorist attacks, although the competition was moved to South Africa. Pakistan won the ICC World Twenty20 this year, and under normal circumstances their players would be in high demand, but relations between the neighbouring countries remains strained. It remains to be seen whether star all-rounder Shahid Afridi, spinner Saeed Ajmal and new pace sensation Mohammad Aamer will be in the market for the IPL auction. None of them have signed contracts with franchises.