Mohammad Yousuf quits ICL, eyes Pak return by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

Mohammad Yousuf

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DateLine: 27th May 2009

 

Former Pakistan middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf says he has snapped his ties with the Indian Cricket League and henceforth is available for national duty.

 

Yousuf had joined the rebel league last year and was then promptly banned from international as well as domestic cricket.

 

But in a decision in keeping with other boards, Pakistan Cricket Board had recently announced an amnesty for players with links with ICL. It allowed them to return to mainstream cricket provided they cut ties with the unauthorised body before May 31.

 

Yousuf, who had met PCB chairman Ijaz Butt last week, said that he had cut ties with the ICL. The PCB though demanded proof.

 

"I have submitted a No Objection Certificate from the ICL and it's now up to the PCB to clear my way to play international cricket," Yousuf said.

 

"I am keen to play for my country again and am awaiting the PCB's reply." The director of human resources of PCB Wasim Bari confirmed that they have received the letter, but he left the decision on Yousuf's future in the hands of Butt.

 

Butt indicated Yousuf could be fast-tracked into the Test team for the series against Sri Lanka in July, but also indicated the board would levy financial penalties on players who had joined the ICL.

 

"The PCB chairman will take a final decision on this," said Bari.

 

Yousuf played the last of his 269 one-day matches in Karachi in July last year. He joined the unrecognised league as a matter of protest after being omitted from Pakistan’s team for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.