The Indian Cricket League suffered a major setback even before its takeoff when
Pakistan's run machine, Mohammad Yousuf broke ranks to sign a central contract
with his cricket board here today.
Yousuf and Nasim Ashraf, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board,
told a joint press conference that the senior batsman had agreed to play in
the Test series against South Africa.
"There was a misunderstanding and nothing else. I had
a positive discussion with Yousuf and he is keen to play for his country. He
will now not be playing for the ICL and is available for Pakistan," Ashraf
said.
Asked about possible repercussions emanating from his decision
after signing the ICL contract, Yousuf said he was not aware of any clause that
said he had to give top priority to ICL even if Pakistan was playing international
cricket.
"I don't know about this clause nor of any possible penalties," he
said.
Ashraf said the board would now handle the issue and Yousuf
was free to concentrate on his Pakistan duties.
"He is the backbone of our batting and he will be joining
the Pakistan team on Saturday and will play in the first Test from Monday,'
Ashraf added.
Yousuf, a veteran of 75 Tests and 242 one-dayers, made a record
breaking 1,788 runs in 11 Tests with nine hundreds in 2006. But he was dropped
by the selectors for the Twenty20 World Cup last month a decision that led to
his signing with the ICL.
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