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This is an archive article published on February 1, 2008

Yousuf wants BCCI, PCB to handle ICL dispute

Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf has left it to the PCB and BCCI to bail him out of his dispute with the unofficial ICL.

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Senior Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf has left it to the PCB and BCCI to bail him out of his dispute with the unofficial Indian Cricket League.

In order to stop Yousuf from signing a contract with the BCCI-backed Indian Premier League, the ICL has filed a petition against the batsman before an arbitration panel in India.

The panel held a hearing on January 24 in Mumbai and Yousuf was represented by his lawyer, who claimed that the panel suspended the stay order which prevented the batsman from signing for the IPL and has allowed him to take part in the players’ bidding process on February 8.

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The panel had initially issued an order restraining Yousuf from signing any contract with the IPL.

“I decided against playing for the ICL because of my board. Both the boards assured me that they will take care of any legal action arising out of my not playing for ICL. So I have left the matter to them and their legal advisors,” Yousuf said.

One of the top Test batsmen in the world today, Yousuf said if required he would go to India to take part in the IPL bidding process.

“So far no one has told me anything or asked me to go to India. Obviously if other IPL players go for the bidding I will also go,” he said.

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Yousuf said he had no ill intentions behind dropping the ICL offer and he was more keen on playing for his country all the time.

“I didn’t want to sacrifice my Pakistan career. The board itself is backing the IPL, so players can play in that league with a peace of mind.”

He refused to comment on the ICL claim that he had signed a contract with them and taken advance money before backing out.

The two boards are dealing with the matter,” Yousuf said.

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Yousuf signed for the ICL when he was dropped from Pakistan’s Twenty20 World Cup squad in August but later the board convinced him to change his decision.

Yousuf, who scored a hundred against Zimbabwe in the fourth one-day international, said he was enjoying playing for his country and preparing for the coming series against Australia.

“I hope they come because this is a series I have wanted to play for a long time. I am in my best form at the moment and I want to make runs against them,” he added.

Yousuf also praised the Zimbabwe team saying they were no pushovers and would improve with time.

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“Their batting and fielding is not bad. Their bowling lacks penetration. They have pressurised us at times in the series. With more matches they will gain experience and improve.”

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