Choose between motherland and ICL, PCB to cricketers

Lahore, Aug 3 (UNI) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a strict warning to the nation's cricketers interested in joining the Essel-group backed Indian Cricket League (ICL), saying if any contracted player joins the private league, he can never don the national colours in future.

The PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf categorically said that any of the current players would be ineligible to play for Pakistan if he decides to join the breakaway league.

''Any player who decides to play in the Indian league would not be picked again for Pakistan. There are clauses in the central contracts, outlined in clear terms that the PCB will decide where the players can compete,'' Dr Ashraf was quoted by the 'Dawn' as saying.

''However, we can't stop anyone if someone personally decides to appear in the league. At this point of time, since the ICL has not been approved by the ICC, its status stands illegal,'' he added.

The PCB chief also made it clear that untill and unless the ICL gets International Cricket Council's (ICC) nod, it would never get the support from cricket boards affliated with the ICC.

''Until the ICC approves it, I'm sure nobody will back the ICL.

How could we support the ICL when we have to manage our own teams with the available resources? Hypothetically speaking, if the ICC does approve the ICL we may review our policy,'' Dr Ashraf explined.

The ICL uproar came to light in Pakistan after the private league reportedly, approached many leading cricketers of the nation with former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq already confirning to receive an offer to play in the breakaway series scheduled to start in October.

Recently, the ICL witnessed a major success under its belt when they signed former West Indian skipper Brian Lara to lead one of the five teams.

UNI