ICL to give NOCs to Pak players this week, claims Razzaq

Banned all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has claimed that the cash-strap Indian Cricket League (ICL) has terminated contracts of all Pakistani players and would issue 'No Objection Certificates' (NOCs) this week to enable them to play elsewhere, including for the national team.

The national media today reported Razzaq as saying that the rebel league had ended contracts of all the Pakistani recruits and was in process of clearing their dues.

"In the next two or three days we will have the NOCs in our hands and will be able to submit it to the Pakistan Cricket Board," Razzaq said.

He said the ICL would have no issues if the players signed up to play anywhere else. However, some other ICL players have expressed their ignorance of such a development taking place but Razzaq was forceful that the rebel league had ended their contracts.

"I think this opens the way for ICL players to again qualify and be eligible to play for Pakistan," he said.

The PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt, however, made it clear that the issue of reconsidering the ICL rebels for national selection was not that simple as it seemed. The PCB has not only sought the opinion of its legal department but also contacted the International Cricket Council (ICC) for guidance since the ICL is not recognised by the ICC or its member boards.

Accordingly, the ICL-bound 17 Pakistani players were banned by the PCB from playing domestic as well as international cricket since 2007. But the Sindh High Court recently lifted the domestic cricket ban on the players after they challenged the PCB ban.

Recently, senior batsman, Mohammad Yousuf has written to the PCB asking it to reconsider him for national selection and has submitted a written document confirming his willingness to end his ICL contract.

However, the PCB Chairman said he had no knowledge about ICL releasing the Pakistani cricketers, adding the matter would be discussed at the executive board meeting of the ICC on April 16 after which a final decision could be taken.

"I have spoken to the ICC Chairman and chief executive about the ICL players issue and we are hopeful we will get some good news. We want to resolve problems for these players who are after all our national players," Butt said.

Meanwhile, sources say that Razzaq's claim may have substance since there were indications that the ICL organisers were facing financial problems in holding the league this year.