Miandad bats for Indian Cricket League

Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has come out in support of the Indian Cricket League (ICL), and said he is unable to understand why the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not allowing its players to play in the league.

Lahore, Aug 9 : Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has come out in support of the Indian Cricket League (ICL), and said he is unable to understand why the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not allowing its players to play in the league.

He also expressed surprise as to why the board has threatened the players with a lifetime ban if they chose to play in the ICL, and asked the PCB to allow cricketers to play in it.

"People in Pakistan are searching for opportunities desperately, and like every one, cricketers are also playing for a bright future, and I think the ICL provides them a better chance to earn money," Miandad said.

"It is good that the ICL is offering handsome amounts to the players. If a player earns Rs 80 million to Rs 100 in three years for playing three months only, it's a great offer for him," he added.

Pakistan would not have suffered due to players' participation in the ICL had the PCB prepared back-up players and given them attractive monetary packages, the Dawn quoted Miandad, as saying.

On the non-inclusion of batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq in the Twenty20 World Cup squad, he said both players deserved a place in the 15-member team, as they were match-winners.

"Razzaq has scored 60 to 70 runs in last few overs on several occasions and Yousuf is also a useful batsman in scoring 12 to 13 runs in an over due to his quality of playing strokes," Miandad said.

Commenting on the decision of imposing a fine on Shoaib Akhtar for not attending the training camp for one day in Karachi, he said there was no discipline in the training camp in Karachi.

"The players were playing practice matches in shorts, showing their non-serious attitude, but no action was taken against them," Miandad said.

ANI