PCB mulls Yousuf request

KARACHI: Premier Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf on Friday met with Ijaz Butt, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, in Lahore in a bid to regain his place in the national team, sources told 'The News'.

According to the sources, Yousuf informed Butt about his eagerness to play for Pakistan besides saying that he is ready to quit the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).

However, when contacted by this correspondent, Butt said that no concrete development has taken place over the Yousuf issue. "We will let you know once there is anything concrete," he said.

Reuters adds: PCB is considering a request from Yousuf to be reconsidered for national selection.

The PCB's Chief Operating Officer Saleem Altaf said on Friday they had received a letter from Yousuf, who is banned from the national team due to his links with the ICL.

"We have sent the letter to our legal advisors for input. But one thing is clear - he can only be considered when he leaves the ICL," Altaf added.

"We will see what our legal advisors say. And eventually the selectors have to decide on whether Yousuf is in form and fit to play for Pakistan."

Yousuf and 16 other players who have contracts with the ICL were recently allowed by the Sindh High Court to play domestic cricket but they are still banned from representing Pakistan.

The International Cricket Council and its members do not recognise the league, which is bankrolled by India's largest media firm.

Yousuf, 34, joined the league last year after initially walking out of a contract in 2007 on the insistence of the PCB.

The batsman, who has played 79 Tests and 269 One-day Internationals, reiterated his desire to play for Pakistan.

"I can only say this much - I have always wanted to play for my country and hopefully in next few days the situation would become clear," Yousuf said.