MUMBAI: The chances of Pakistani players participating in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) remain bleak as the IPL Governing Council has discreetly asked all the franchises not to consider opting for Pakistan players in the upcoming auctions.

The players auction are scheduled for January.

The BCCI of which IPL GC is a sub-committee is cautious about the possible fallout of allowing Pakistani players in the IPL since the relation between the two countries are yet to normalise ever since the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.

According to a Mail Today report, the BCCI is also wary of several factors including the spot fixing controversy, the misbehavior on the part of some Pakistan players and the practicality of providing extra security and dealing with threats of disruption from various political and social organizations.

"We are trying to discourage the franchises against picking them during the auction. And there are obvious reasons for it," a BCCI source said.

Pakistani players had participated in the inaugural edition of the IPL. However, the 26/11 attack led to their exclusion from the tournament.

Incidentally, the Pakistani team is scheduled to tour India late December for a five match series which includes 3 ODIs and 2 T20s.