Pakistan seeks clarification on rebel ICL players

Pakistan will not field any rebel cricketers until it receives clarification on the status of their contracts with the Indian rebel league and a decision by the sport's governing body, an official said today.

National selectors yesterday included three players from the unrecognised Indian Cricket League (ICL) in the preliminary 30-man squad for the World Twenty20 championships, subject to clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council.

All-rounders Abdul Razzaq and Rana Naved-ul Hasan, and opener Imran Nazir had been included in the initial squad for the event to be held in England in June.

PCB chief operating officer Salim Altaf said they had written to the ICL to get clarification regarding the trio.

"We have written a letter to the ICL to get status of their contracts, whether these (contracts) have been rescinded permanently or rescinded temporarily but we have yet to get any reply on that," Altaf said.

The three were among the Pakistani players who featured in the ICL, which is bankrolled by India's largest media group but is not recognised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the ICC.

As a result, the PCB barred the rebel players from playing in domestic and international cricket.

The high court in Pakistan's southern province of Sindh, however, suspended the ban last February, allowing the players to take part in domestic matches.

The PCB said last week that if ICL players broke ties with the rebel league they would consider their inclusion in the national team.

For this to happen, however, the PCB needs clearance from the ICC.

The ICC is due to discuss the ICL at their meeting in Dubai on April 17 and 18.

Altaf said Pakistan would have to trim the squad to 15 before May 5.

"We will wait and see, what the ICL's response is and what does the ICC decide," said Altaf, a former Pakistan fast bowler.

Altaf said the ICC had also formulated strict guidelines on unauthorised leagues effective from June 1 this year.

Former captain Moin Khan - who coaches Pakistan's Lahore Badshahs' side in the ICL - hailed the inclusion of the three players.

"I appreciate PCB's move to select these players because team needs these players as their strength is not ideal these days and now I hope that the PCB weathers opposition from various quarters," Khan said.

"If BCCI gets angry on this let it be. Have they supported Pakistan in troubled times? ICL never stopped players from playing for their countries so why not include them in the national team," he said.

Razzaq, who joined the league after being axed from the national side for the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, said he was seeking assurances before leaving the ICL.

"I am ready to play for Pakistan, but we must be given central contracts before we leave the ICL," said Razzaq. "We need clarification and assurances."