ICL should allow players, a right to quit: Zaheer Abbas

Lahore, Aug 10 (UNI) Players who join the Indian Cricket League (ICL) must get a clause inserted in their contract, allowing them to join their national teams whenever they wish to do so, asserts former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas.

''If any Pakistani player is planning to join the ICL, I will advise him to get a clause inserted in his contract that he would be released whenever required by the national team. We agreed to play in the Kerry Packer series only after Mr Packer agreed to let us play for Pakistan whenever required,'' said Zaheer.

Zaheer also advised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to allow the players to join ICL to secure their future.

''Cricketers are professionals who earn their bread and butter by playing the game, I mean the Board will not give anything to player once they stopped playing cricket for Pakistan which is why I don't think they should make it a big deal,'' he was quoted as saying by the 'News'.

''In any case I believe there aren't many great players in the current line-up whose absence can really affect the team's performance. Probably Mohammad Yousuf is the only player whose absence in the Test team will be felt by Pakistan,'' he added.

Last week, the PCB issued a warning, any player who signs with the ICL will be banned from playing for the country. The Indian and Sri Lankan board also have taken a similar stand on the proposed league.

UNI