PCB faces crisis as five players join ICL

Karachi:

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faces a players' exodus as Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul
Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood and Imran Farhat finalised deals to play in the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).

One of the cricketers said on condition of anonymity that the deal was done but the ICL had restricted them from making any announcements.

"The signings will be announced by the ICL themselves this week. We are not supposed to disclose anything," he said.

To make matters worse, it has been reported that pacers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, who had initially rejected ICL offers, have received fresh enhanced offers from the deep-pocket organisers of the league.

However, a PCB official refused to believe that five players have already signed ICL contracts.

"I can understand Azhar Mahmood, Inzamam or even Farhat signing to play in the ICL but I doubt it if Yousuf and Razzaq would sign up because they are still leading players for us and certain selections for our Test and one-day teams," the official said.

The PCB has made it clear that it would not consider any contracted player for future selection if he plays in the Indian league.

Razzaq, Azhar and Inzamam are in London at the moment and were not available for their comments.

The Pakistani selectors had dropped Razzaq and Yousuf for the Twenty20 World Cup being held in South Africa next month.

Earlier, Inzamam's father also confirmed that his son had signed up for the ICL.

"He is in London where he has to gone to play for Yorkshire. But yes, he has signed with the ICL. That is what he told me when I last spoke to him," he said.