Shah Rukh wanted to recruit Pak players

**FILE ** Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan smiles as he arrives for the premiere of the hindi version of the animated Hollywood film 'The Incredibles' called 'Hum Hain Lajawab', where he has lent his voice, in Mumbai, India, in this, Dec. 13, 2004 file photo. Despite rumors of a long simmering rivalry, Bollywood superstars Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan will be working together again, a news report said Tuesday April 24, 2007. (AP Photo/Rajesh Nirgude,file)

Kolkata Knight Riders have exhausted their quota of foreign cricketers but they would have loved to have Pakistani players in their ranks, co-owner of the IPL franchisee Shah Rukh Khan said.

“We did have a number of them in the first IPL and in the second, no Pakistani player was allowed to play. This year, we don’t have any more slot left. But if we had and they are made available legally, we would have loved to have them,” the actor said.

“We had one slot this year and we took Shane Bond, because we needed a fast bowler. We would have loved to have any player from any country, which would boost our team,” Shah Rukh said.

Lamenting the snub that the Pakistani player received in the January 19 auction, Shah Rukh said they should have been welcomed.

“If there was any issue, that could have been solved in a fairly, nice manner. I believe my country stands for democracy and goodness and we should invite everyone.

“I never involve myself in politics — in films or in sports. We are a wonderful democratic, a happy secular country and that’s how it should be,” he said.