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[dextrous]

Pakistan cricketers reject offers from new Indian league

KARACHI, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Asif have turned down offers to play in the unofficial Indian Cricket League Twenty20 series.

The three told Reuters on Saturday that playing for Pakistan was far more important for them and they had not been tempted by offers made by the ICL organizers.

"I got a very good offer but in the end I was not tempted as I have a few more years to give to Pakistan cricket which is far more important for me as a player," Akhtar said.

Indian and Pakistan cricket boards have threatened to ban players who decide to play in the league which is not recognised by the International Cricket Council.

The league organisers have signed up recently retired West Indies skipper Brian Lara and also hope to lure Australians Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne out of retirement.

"I can't let my people down and disappoint them. I have just started my career for Pakistan and I enjoy the feeling of performing for my country. Nothing, not even money, can match that," Asif said.


 © Reuters 2007. All rights reserved.

[dextrous]

ICL ban in order to save Pak players from injury: Ashraf
From our ANI Correspondent

Karachi, Aug 4: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is blocking the entry of national level players in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) to shield them from injury, claimed PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf. 
 
 Rejecting the view that the PCB was trying to appease the Indian cricket board, Ashraf said the decision was taken in interest of Pakistan cricket.

"We don't have to appease or please anybody. 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," he said.

There have been reports that several leading Pakistan players have been contacted by ICL to play in the lucrative league, The News reported.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar and Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik are among the players approached by the ICL.

Earlier, Ashraf had warned top players to stay away from ICL, or face the axe.

Ashraf told reporters at the National Stadium here that there would be no room for any Pakistani player who decides to sign up with ICL.

Commenting on the ICL, Ashraf said he was confident that no cricket board would support the rebel series.


Copyright Dailyindia.com/ANI
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/162952.php/ICL-ban-in-order-to-save-Pak-players-from-injury:-Ashraf