PCB maintains tough stand on players joining ICL

The Pakistan Cricket Board has brushed aside the possible repercussions of some of their cricketers joining the Indian Cricket League (ICL), saying that they have enough talent among the reserves to fill the gaps.

Unfazed by growing speculation that some of the senior players - including Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq - had received offers to sign up for the ICL, Zakir Khan, the PCB's director of operations, said: "We believe Pakistan have a solid bench strength and if some [national] players want to sign up for ICL then they can do it."

He also reiterated the board's zero-tolerance stand on the issue. "Our policy is our clear. If any of our players appears in the ICL, he would not play for Pakistan again," Zakir told the News. "We believe that nobody is indispensable," he said. "In cricket, players come and go."

Zakir said he hoped all key players would be available for Pakistan's forthcoming assignments, which includes the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa, a home series against South Africa and a tour to India. "We are confident that neither of our current players will go for the ICL. Most of the players like Younis Khan have already assured us that their top priority is to play for the country," he said. "It would be great for Pakistan if all players give national duty a priority."