Knight Riders interested in me: Razzaq

Karachi:

Confusion reigned supreme over Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq's partcipation in this year's Indian Premier League. After alleged reports that defending champions Deccan Chargers had signed Razzaq, the DC vice-president denied signing him amid reports that the player has been roped in as a substitute while Kolkata Knight Riders came to the forefront and said that they have approached the Pakistani all-rounder.

Talking to NDTV over his participation in the IPL, Razzaq said that he has been approached by Kolkata Knight Riders. He said, "Kolkata Knight Riders are interested in me but they are waiting for IPL clearance."

Sourav Ganguly, captain of the Shah Rukh Khan owned team, confirmed the reports by saying that KKR were indeed pursuing the Pakistani all-rounder. "Razzaq has been approached," he said.

The former Indian Cricket League recruit was reportedly signed up by the Chargers as a replacement for injured West Indian pacer Fidel Edwards but the franchise denied the reports.

"We don't have a slot and I am denying it," Venkat Reddy, Vice President (Operations) Deccan Chargers, told reporters.

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi said DC just didn't have any money left with them to rope in a new player.

"Currently, only Rajasthan Royals can have a slot. Deccan Chargers don't have any money. Only way to bring a new player is through injury replacement. But for that, the IPL governing has to be convinced that the injured player won't come back for even a single match," Modi said.

Earlier, sources close to Razzaq said the veteran all-rounder and Chargers had reached an agreement. "The contract has been finalised and it should be announced soon," one source said.

Flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi had appeared for the Chargers in the first IPL season in 2008.

After being snubbed at the the auction, Pakistani cricketers had alleged that they were deliberately humiliated by the IPL franchises, a charge that later snowballed into a political controversy.

Pakistan's minister Ejaz Jakhrani even called on the Indian government to hold an inquiry into the IPL's conduct in the matter.

Indian sports minister M S Gill yesterday said the IPL had faulted and he would like to see Pakistani players in action in the coming season.

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi said after the players auction fiasco that franchises could play Pakistanis as substitutes in the coming season if they replaced a foreign signing.

Meanwhile, Razzaq told an Indian news channel that he was also in talks with the Kolkata Knight Riders and was keen to play for them.

The report said that the Knight Riders are willing to offer a contract to Razzaq and Umar Gul, replacing Bangladesh pacer Mashrafe Mortaza and Charl Langeveldt of South Africa, within the next 3-4 days.

"We were disappointed at the way the IPL treated us but now time has changed and if at all I get a contract I will go by what the cricket board decides," Razzaq said.