Ikhlaq, Rizwan to represent Telugu Titans in Indian Kabaddi

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Ikhlaq Hussain and Mohammad Rizwan will represent Telugu Titans in the Indian Pro Kabaddi League Season-4 which will commence at different cities of India from June 25.

The two Pakistani players are expected to reach India before the opening showdown. Telugu Titans will face Puneri Paltan in their opener on June 25 at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Complex in Pune.

The contracts details of the Pakistani duo could not be known.

“We are yet to receive their contracts details,” Pakistan Kabaddi Federation’s (PKF) secretary Mohammad Sarwar told ‘The News’ on Wednesday.

In the other clash on the opening day Jaipur Pink will lock horns with the Season-2 champions United Mumba.

Bengal Warriors, Bengaluru Bulls, Dabang Delhi KC and Patna Pirates are the others in the league which will be played till July 31.

In the first season in 2014 Jaipur Pink Panthers emerged as the champions when they defeated U Mumba 35-24 in the final.

In the season-2 held in July 2015 U Mumba lifted the winners trophy after beating Bengaluru Bulls 36-30 in the final.

In the Season-3 held in January-February 2016 Patna Pirates got the top honours after outgunning U Mumba in the final at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.

The competitions are being held for the second time this year because of the popularity of the league.

Pakistani players have been playing in the league since its inception.

Meanwhile, some Pakistani players who were set to feature in the English league this season will not be able to do so as the organisers cancelled the competitions due to some serious problems.

“The English league has been cancelled due to some problems,” Sarwar said.

He was quick to add that 16 to 18 players would feature in the Canada League beginning in July.

“They have received NOCs from the PKF and will participate in the Canada league,” said Sarwar, also the secretary of Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF).

He said that the PKF general body meeting would be held in Ramadan to discuss Pakistan’s chances of hosting World Cup this year.