ICL ban not a means to please BCCI: PCB

Lahore, Aug 4 (UNI) Playing down the impression that the ICL ban was a means to appease the BCCI, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the decision to restrict national cricketers from joining the private league has been taken in the 'better interest of the national cricketers' and not as a step to please their Indian counterparts.

PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf has clarified that the Board is restricting its players from joining the Essel-group backed league in order to shield them from injuries and burn out risk.

''We don't have to appease or please anybody,'' Dr Ashraf told 'The News'.

''The PCB has adopted a tough stance on the ICL to ensure that our players don't go there and are safe from the risk of injury and burn-out.

''Our first and foremost goal is to protect national interest.

These days, the players are already playing too much cricket and if they (Pakistani cricketers) sign up for the ICL, there would be even more matches and greater injury risks,'' he explained.

The ICL uproar came to light in Pakistan after the private league reportedly approached many leading cricketers of the nation with former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq and explosive all-rounder Shahid Afridi already confirming to receiving an offer to play in the breakaway series scheduled to start in October.

However, the PCB Chairman on Thrusday categorically said that if any centrally contracted cricketer decides to join the breakaway league, he would not be eligible to play for Pakistan in future.

''Any player who decides to play in the Indian league would not be picked again for Pakistan. There are clauses in the central contracts, outlined in clear terms that the PCB will decide where the players can compete,'' Dr Ashraf said.

Recently, the ICL witnessed a major success under its belt when they signed former West Indian skipper Brian Lara to lead one of the five teams.

UNI