The Indian Premier League’s acquisitions continue. Apart from the initial international and domestic deals 11 more international stars today joined up for BCCI’s Twenty20 extravaganza. IPL chief and Board vice-president Lalit Modi today said that apart from South African captain Graeme Smith and New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, among those to join up was also the controversial Mohammed Yousuf of Pakistan.Yousuf had, following a spat with the PCB, joined the rebel Indian Cricket League. The Pakistan Board had coerced the player to go back on his contract with the ICL and return to the Pakistan Test fold. Yousuf, fearing he would run into legal problems, had not taken part in the first Test versus South Africa (he is playing in the ongoing second Test).Today, the name of Yousuf was probably the biggest surprise in the acquisitions.Modi said: “We had made a promise to the cricket loving masses of India for some truly international class high-octane action through the Twenty20 format in the IPL. It is in line with this promise and philosophy that we have signed some of the best cricketing talent on display internationally, including over five players who have captained their respective countries. We are in talks with some very promising talent and should shortly be making some further announcements.”THE 11 NEW ACQUISITIONS• Mohammed Yousuf, Herschelle Gibbs, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Justin Langer, AB De Villiers, Ashwell Prince, Albie Morkel, Scott Styris and Chaminda Vaas, Graeme Smith, Daniel Vettori.
