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April 22, 2011

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Windies' Gayle 'forced to skip Pakistan series'

FORMER West Indies captain Chris Gayle claims his decision to play in the Indian Premier League and miss the national team's series against Pakistan arises from his perceived ill-treatment from the country's cricket board.

Gayle was left out of the initial part of the one-day and Twenty20 series against Pakistan due to an abdominal injury, but elected to skip the entire series and sign with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, claiming on Wednesday it was due to a dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board and because experienced teammates Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were left out of the squad.

"I was actually forced to make this decision based on what was happening around me and based on what has happened to current players (Ramnaresh) Sarwan and (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul," Gayle said.

"I wanted to play and I wanted to represent West Indies," the powerful left-handed batsman said. "I didn't know what the future held. Two games can play, guys do well, Chris Gayle still will be sitting out."

The 31-year-old Gayle, unsigned at the IPL auction last January, was on Tuesday snapped up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore to replace the injured Australian fast bowler, Dirk Nannes.

The West Indies Cricket Board issued him the necessary No Objection Certificate, but issued a media release critical of Gayle's choice.

Gayle said the dispute predates the World Cup, claiming he was threatened with exclusion from the tournament for asking whether the tournament contract was approved by the West Indies Players' Association.

"I got a reply, copied to the three selectors and the coach and the lawyer and the CEO himself stating, Chris, we have someone on standby for you so if you don't sign this contract right now, basically you will be replaced for the World Cup," Gayle said.

"That hurt me so much to believe that they are talking to a person who just captained West Indies and they actually dealing with me like that. That was unfair."

Gayle said the dispute contributed to a poor dressing room atmosphere at the World Cup.



 

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