Yousuf defection shocks PCB

A day after their prolific Test scorer Mohammad Yousuf joined the rebel Indian Cricket League, a shocked Pakistan Cricket Board...

A day after their prolific Test scorer Mohammad Yousuf joined the rebel Indian Cricket League, a shocked Pakistan Cricket Board said the loss of senior batsman is a big setback for the team.

Shafqat Naghmi, chief executive of the board, however, played down the signing of the three other players, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq and Imran Farhat.

8220;Yousuf8217;s signing is the biggest setback for us because he was required by the team,8221; Naghmi said. 8220;I spoke to Yousuf today and he confirmed he has signed up with the ICL. It came as a shock to us because the team and Pakistan cricket still needs him. He is a quality player and will be missed,8221; he said.

Naghmi also made it clear that the board8217;s policy was clear that players who had signed up to play in the ICL would not be considered for national selection again. 8220;We don8217;t recognise the ICL as it is not a sanctioned tournament from the ICC or the Indian board,8221; he said.

He said as far as Razzaq is concerned he had not been performing well for the last two years.

8220;To be honest he has not been in the best of form and it was getting difficult for him to get a place in the team. In that sense if he has signed up with the ICL, he has done what is right for himself.8221;

Naghmi said Razzaq8217;s decision to retire from international cricket in protest over the board8217;s alleged indifferent attitude was a mean to justify his signing up for the ICL. 8220;This board has a lot of respect for the players and we try to treat them fairly and well all the time. Their welfare is our concern. But if Razzaq has his views we can8217;t do anything about it.8221;

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He said that Inzamam had contributed a lot to Pakistan cricket and was one of the greats. 8220;His contribution is well known but if at this stage he feels playing in the Indian league is best for him, he has done the right thing. The good thing is we have some good back-up talent,8221; he added.

The PCB official also insisted that new coach, Geoff Lawson, should have no problems taking charge of the team despite the signing of the four players with the ICL. He has a job to do with the available lot and we are confident he will do his best.