Pakistan reacted sharply on Monday to four of its players joining the breakaway Indian cricket league, saying they will not be considered for future selection in the national team.
"We don't know about our players signing for the Indian league but we affirm our policy of not selecting players in future in case they join the league," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told reporters.
The Indian Cricket League (ICL), bankrolled by country's largest media group which owns the Zee television channel, confirmed it has signed former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq and Imran Farhat.
Their signing could end their international careers. Naghmi said the case would be put before PCB's ad-hoc committee in its forthcoming meeting before taking a final decision. "This is not a recognised league so we are not going to accept it. We hope that Yousuf will not join the league as he is a great player and Pakistan need his services," said Naghmi.
Inzamam, who retired from one-day cricket after Pakistan's first-round exit from the World Cup in the Caribbean earlier this year, joins retired West Indian captain Brian Lara as the star overseas cricketers in the ICL. Inzamam, who last week flew to England to play for Yorkshire county on a short term contract, confirmed he was offered a lucrative deal.
Razzaq also announced his retirement from international cricket on Monday, saying he was upset over his omission from the national team. Three other current players - pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif and all-rounder Shahid Afridi had snubbed initial offers but were said to be considering enhanced offers from the rebel league.
Yousuf when contacted also confirmed his signing. "Yes I have signed for league cricket in India," he told AFP. The 32-year-old batsman, who set a new world record of 1788 runs in a calendar year in 2006, was omitted from Pakistan's squad for next month's inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.
But he said the signing had nothing to do with his omission from the team. "So many Pakistani players play county cricket in England and skip national duties so what if I am playing for the Indian league. It is not due to my omission," said Yousuf, regarded as the world's top batsman.
Yousuf's joining the league could hurt Pakistan who host South Africa in October and then tour India in November-December this year. They also host world champions Australia in March next year. Meanwhile, Farhat said his decision to join the league was prompted by his exclusion from the team.
"Look what the selectors have done to me. Despite my performances I have been treated unfairly on and off the field," said Farhat who was fined for phoning a national selector to protest an earlier omission in May this year. "Not being given chances is just like a life ban and I hope to play for my country again because my well-wishers believe I have been mistreated and my decision to join the league was backed by all of them."
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