ISLAMABAD // The Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf has joined the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) and is now unlikely to play in the three one-day internationals against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi later this month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said today. "His (Yousuf) wife told us on telephone that he has left for India today to play in the ICL," the PCB Director of Cricket Operations Zakir Khan said. "He did not inform us about his travel plans to India and we are trying to contact him directly," an irate Khan added. Yousuf left for New Delhi today from the eastern city of Lahore hours after he was named in a 15-member Pakistan squad for the three-match series against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi from Nov 12-16. The ICL is an unofficial Twenty20 tournament. The PCB said last year that any players who join the ICL would not be considered for selection. The Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam said the team has enough reserve players to replace Yousuf for the series in the capital. The former chairman of the PCB, Nasim Ashraf, convinced Yousuf last year to cancel his ICL contract and play for Pakistan. The former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, all-rounders Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood, fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed and opening batsman Imran Farhat have all joined the ICL.
*AP