LAHORE: Discarded Pakistani Test and one-day all-rounder Abdul Razzaq said on Sunday that the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL) has released several Pakistani players by issuing them a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and expressed his interest in rejoining the Pakistan side.

Speaking to media in Lahore, Razzaq said, ‘the ICL may not hold its Twenty20 tournament this year, due to economic crisis and has issued NOCs to several players, including me, allowing me to participate in any other league and I am willing to play for Pakistan.’ Nineteen Pakistani players had joined the ICL, which was not recognised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its affiliated members. This resulted in all member countries banning the ICL-affiliated players.

However, the situation seems to have improved recently, when when Mohammad Yousuf decided to disassociate himself from the ICL to rejoin Pakistan team last week.

Although various ICL affiliated players are willing to rejoin the national side, it is feared that some of them may join a new league called the American Premier League (APL).

The APL is expected to schedule a tournament later this year, in New York City to cash in on the interest of US-based Pakistanis. The players who fail to find a way back into the national side are expected to link-up with the APL. (Source Dawn News)

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