Pakistan has pulled three Indian Cricket League (ICL)-contracted players from a preliminary Twenty20 World Cup squad, while they seek a ‘clear ruling’ from the International Cricket Council on the players’ eligibility.
Launched last year, the unofficial ICL has signed many international players, but it is not recognised by the ICC or its members, and those taking part attract automatic bans from all forms of official cricket.
Pakistan selectors this week named ICL-contracted Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naved and Imran Nazir in a 30-man squad to be trimmed to 15 for the tournament in England in June.
The three would be replaced by Zulfiqar Jan, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez, said Saleem Altaf, chief operating officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board official, on Wednesday.
‘The factual position is that we have dropped these players as we are still waiting for a clear ruling from the International Cricket Council on the ICL players,’ Altaf said.
Just a couple of days ago the Pakistan selection committee included the three players in their preliminary squad for the Twenty20 World Cup that are banned from the national team because of their contracts with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Chief selector Abdul Qadir told a news conference on Monday that the trio would only be retained in the squad if they were cleared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).
‘We were asked to pick the best Twenty20 players in the preliminary squad which we have done. Naturally their final selection is now dependent on these players being cleared by the board to play for the country,’ Qadir said.
The three are among 17 players contracted by the ICL who 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.
Razzaq and Naved, along with senior batsman Mohammed Yousuf, had informed the PCB they were willing to forgo their ICL contracts if they were reconsidered for national selection.
It seems now that the Pakistan Cricket Board has once again caved into the pressure of the ICC and its stance on ICL players.
With the ICC to decide the fate of the ICL players later this year will Pakistan have enought firepower going into the Twenty20 World Cup?
How is the ICL any different from the numerous organised leagues that exist around the world? Is is it only a matter of the financial clout that the ICC and the BCCI have over world cricket?
Should the ICL players finally take legal action against the PCB and the ICC in the international court of law?
If such was a case, Imran nazir, if he is so talented and amazing as an opener, he would never have been dropped at the international level. If he was a player in the 80’s he would have never been picked up as a player as imran khan would have just said “NO” after his amazing performances as an opener. An opener is defined as someone who takes a good luck at the pitch and actually defines the gameplan for the whole team to follow. So is the case for so many openers.
Tests 8 13 0 427 131 32.84 2 1
ODIs 74 74 2 1784 160 24.77 2
This is the average stat of Mr. Imran Nazir. As you can see, he has been given ample oppurtunity to be part of the team. But has not performed during those times. 20/20 is not cricket, its just a sham. Real Players will always be known for Test Cricket. The greats we have called greats for so long were not 20/20 players but great Test players. That is where the flaws of Pakistani cricketers come into true colors. WAKE UP and MOVE ON
Pakistan has a strong case to bring those back.Due to security fears Pakistan cricket has suffered a lot and ICC has not offered Pakistan any assistance what soever the least they can do is to allow players like Nazir, Razaq and Naved. They will pull in the crowds all over the world and this has to be good for Pakistan cricket.
I hope these players read these blogs and legally challange ICC fom depriving them of international cricket.
I think imran nazir is abest opner.he should open with afridi.it is wastage of afridi to send it 5 or 6 number.give him chance to open.i pray my country to win.may pakistan come at 1st number in ICC ranking.
zain.uet@gmail.com
Forget banning and restricting players. You have no right, let the people earn their living from the talent for which they have invested their lifetime in. Play your best players.
ICC is a joke, If I was in ICC, I would make them Billions and Cricket would be THE # 1 sport in the world.
fyi hameed . rana naveed was the best bowler 2 years straight in the Icl. some of the former australian players in the Icl commented that his yorkers were most unplayable. thats the funny things about pakistani players they are such good exponent of the yorker. sohail tanvir and umar gul seem to have mastered the art too. 20 20 all these 3 should play.
nazir is tailor made for 20 20 nazir and razzak should open for pakistan but only in the world 20 cup. afrdi should be sacked. his performances lacked in the ipl and have been for the past 10 years. he should change is front foot game and improve on backfoot approach. like razaaq he gives himself room and plays straight planting is backfoot down. same with nazir hes outstanding square of the wicket and his shots stay hit. even though he cant play straight but it doesnt really matter in 20 20
As far as Imran Nazir goes, ICL wasn’t supporting world class pace bowlers or even a good handy pace bowlers. For instance, if you pitch him against guys with pace like Styen or Johnson, his shortcomings would come infront almost immediately. Anything that moves with the seam and comes in towards his pad, he won’t be able to get his bat down in time. This has been experienced and seen on numerous occasions during his stint with Pakistani cricket team. Razzaq was a loss, and would remain one until he comes back or pakistan brings someone of the same calibre.
Rana Naved, is way past his prime and i don’t think he deserves a call up at all.
ICL is not something for players who want to play for their country. It is certainly there for washed out cricketers. Yousaf though an exception, tainted his legacy for money. The rest are retired or had no future aka imran farhat and the lot. No one to blame them except their lust for Money. Playing for your country is a privilege, don’t let it get tainted by greed.
Razzaq and Nazir can really make difference in T20.
But please dont include Mohamad Yusuf in Pakistan’s squad at any time.Because next time also whenever he will get the opportunity he will leave the team for the sake of ICL.
I think that imran, naved and abdul razzaq are required in the pakistan cricket team. this is because at the moment pakistan team is really awful, by getting these players they can really change the future by emerging victorious in the upcoming T20 world cup in england.
The PCB listens to BCCI a lot and look what has happen now, they have batterayed you and they have ruin the future of the pakistan cricket teams. Now its PCB’s responsibility to get those players back into the pakistan cricket team as they are the ones who can change the pakistans cricket teams future.
i don’t think these three palyers can make difference in pakistan performance…
abdul razzaq can bat somewhat…
naved can be easily smashed to sixes the pace he bowls..
Imran Nazir do not have tecnique to play.. he just swings his bat and take chaces just like afridi..
pakistan performance cannot be chaged with these ICL playerss..
I am sure ICC will never let them come in !!
ICC=BCCI…!!! believe or not and pakistan has to obey that…
LOL at Waqar Younis remarks about ICL players betraying the bounty of national pride. Most international sides will openly recognise, utilise and support such talent with both hands as a god gifted blessing. PCB needs to get a grip and consider the wider picture for the benefit of players, fans and team morale as a whole. They need to appeal against this policy otherwise it will be a mighty regret of formidable talent lost.
As highlighted by many bloggers already the inclusion of the likes of Rana and Nazir will certainly make Pakistan a grand attraction in the T20WC with the potential to go the distance in terms of restoring cricket pride in the nation and winning the tournament. This just underlines the influential impact these names can bring on the nations fate.
Without these iconic names Pakistan will lack the ego, credentials and experience to succeed on the international stage.ICC should clear up this petty regulation once and all otherwise our T20 glory hopes could be a distant dream or will be shall I say.
Instead of simply waiting like lame ducks for a decision from ICC, the PCB should be influencing that decision by presenting its arguments. They should be arguing that at this point in time the three players do not have a contract with ICL, hence, they should be allowed to play for their country. I’m sure PCB has lawyers that can force the issue within a legal capacity. We need an aggressive stance, the three players should threaten to sue the ICC if not allowed to play. South Africa came back to international cricket after being boycotted. There is precedent!
Imagine the motivation level and enthusiasm of players who see that their cricket board fighting for them to play for their country.
BCCI and ICC continue to develop extreme biasness against the PCB. They are looking to destroy its future by blocking player pathways. Without their (ICL prospects) inclusion Pakistan cricket will always be a lost soul which lacks excitement and “buzz” to watch and that firepower and expertise to become a competitive force.
PCB should stop acting like a scapegoat rebel and stand up for its future. Why shall we allow Pakistan cricket to suffer and neglect such extraordinary talent from participating in the national side at the expense of pleasing some governing bodies?
Everyone remember the final of ICL. RAzzaq, Naved and imran are one of best T20 specialist players. No one can match these play in this form of game. Icc and PCb must allow all the icl players to represent their country.
I believe if Imran, Abdur Razzaq and Rana Naveed are included in the squad, it for sure will give a fair reading of the team and without them we cant be expecting any wonders at the World Cup. So many World Cups have come and passed by without Pakistan making an impact and if making an impact, not winning it. I love my country and would love to see them shine again. Abdur Razzaq, Afridi and Imran Nazir are those sort of players who are born to play T20 and you just cant leave them out of the squad.
I think a court ruling against the PCB would just add fuel to the fire, there is no need for that. These players should try to sort out their contracts, in simple words they should clearly terminate it and show that they are there for PCB to select them. I dont see any reason why that can not be done before June and believe me we need Imran, Abdur Razzaq and others for this World Cup as much as we needed Imran Khan and Wasim Akram in the 92 World Cup.
Yeah I agree all the way about Nazir . He is a stylish attacking opener and seems to be one of those players that once gets going can be invincible ,undefeatable and simply dominate proceedings single handily which is a true pleasure to watch and admire. He can really get that tempo going and apply considerable amount of pressure on the opposition. Simply a headache field setting exception for captains.
As a bowler u tend to feel your teeth chattering and nerves shaking when you face up to an aggressive batsman of such madness as much as it can be an overwhelming sensational feature when u dismiss them and claim a mighty break though. But I’m in the view that your require uniqueness and intensity to be successful and therefore he would appeal as an automatic selection in my books.
Just a word on the team, I must admit it lacks firepower and uniqueness. This has been a morale which has been one of the ultimate successes of Pakistan cricket in which they have been able to produce extraordinary talents like Imran Khan/Wasim Akram/Waqar Younis/Shoaib Akthar/Javed Miandad etc who created buzz and excitement to watch and proposed threat to opposition. In the side you have Afridi and Younis Khan who stands out but other than that we have too many inexperienced rookies or mediocre prospects. Simply not enough genuine “matchwinners” to be able to take Pakistan in the top 3 ranking spot which they achieved a few times under Bob Woolmer who I felt was a great coach and ambassador for development of Pakistan cricket. In fact I remember a sequence of games in the 05/06 season such as defeating England, India and Sri lanka in test series. At the time Pakistan was second in the test ranking and was a driving force in world cricket.
As a result the preferred team doesn’t sound appealing to watch nor does it seem to have credentials to turn the tables and make a real influence in world cricket. It’s an average side which I feel won’t be able to go far especially on away wickets. You need an all guns blazing Imran opening partnership. Also a classy Mohd Yousuf and a reverse swinging yorker expert in Rana Naved who is one of the best T20 players in the world. You may have question marks hanging over his fitness in the longer formats but in T20 he’s a mouth-watering prospect. That team need spicing up for sure!
No doubt, the inclusion of these three excellent cricketers will tremendously boost the firing power as well as the overall confidence of the Pakistani cricket team and their inclusion in the final squad might help the land of the pure to win the upcoming 20/20 world cup in South Africa. For sure, this is the right step in the right direction by the national selection committee headed by cricket spin wizard; Abdul Qadir.
Nevertheless, the million dollar question as they say is still the same; whether the paper tiger PCB has the guts as well as the grit to be able to convince the ICC, currently under heavy influence of BCCI for obvious reasons, to let these and other ICL cricketers play for their countries?
I leave the answer to the enlightened, educated, excelling and enterprising readers of this great ‘Dawn.com’ forum.
i m very sorry and ashamed for PCB stance over ICL players not advocating pak ICL players in ICC. And after their availability and having NOC from ICL. They must be in pakistani squad…
Abdul Razzak and Rana Naveed are the best all rounders of the pakistan as for as t20 is concerned. Imran Nazir is one of of the best t20 and modern one day cricket player, he is the most dangerous player of T-20. If he succeeds to play 15 or 16 overs, his team can definitely achieve even an unreachable target. The most important thing is that his presence in the team is the guarantee for keeping other teams under tremendous pressure. If some friends have doubt in it, I strongly recommend them to watch the recording of the last year’s ICL semi-final and final matches.
Though pakistan had a best team in last T20 but Razzaq’s inclsuion would have definitly brough that cup home.
Rana’s late swing can only be compared with Great Waqar.
Nazir is the utmost requirment of the day for this upcoming event for the opening. I think PCB officials should not surrender to the ICC and BCCI presuures.
we wish all the best to our only sporting national team at the verge of death.
Nobody can deny the fact that Abdul Razzak and Rana Naveed are among the best all rounders of the world but as far as Imran Nazir is concerned, he is the most dangerous player of T-20. If he succeeds to play 15 or 16 overs, his team can definitely achieve even an unreachable target. The most important thing is that his presence in the team is the guarantee for keeping other teams under tremendous pressure. If some friends have doubt in it, I strongly recommend them to watch the recording of the last year’s ICL semi-final and final matches.
It’s been a while that we lack opening hitters, and all-rounders, since a while now.
You can’t compare Razzaq to those new medium Pacers, and his batting skills can’t be matched.
Rana On the other hand has a better ability to swing, i think he has learned alot in ICL with regards to reverse swing.
Nazir, you just can’t match him, to any player he’s definately an Automatic pick within T20 games,
I think they should have also considered Imran Farhat, lets see how it goes, I hope ICC doesn’t do that whole stupid stuff again.
Nazir, Rana and Razzaq is what we needed in our arsenal to become champions. Make us proud GUYS and Misbah please no scoops this time.
Imran Nazir is better than, Sehwag.
Razzaq is better than Kalis as all rounder.
Naveed is better swinger than any one.
Having all back, means preparing an outfit, everyone would love to watch. At least fullfil my lust to watch the real cricket.
Glory is still with Pakistan and will remain…. Inshallah!
Well… Better looking decision, now it’s PCB’s utmost duty to get clearance at the earliest possible time for all the three selected players for T-20 WC.
I would like to emphasize on the PCB Charmain Mr. Butt’s statement that if ‘Mohammad Yousuf’ leaves ICL today, he will be selected tomorrow.
why do they always give ‘lame’ excuses later on to the whole nation, if they can not stand firm behind their own commitments?