September 28, 2007	Friday	Ramazan 15, 1428

LAHORE, Sept 27: Pakistan’s leading middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf has reversed his decision of joining the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and has decided to resume his services for Pakistan cricket.

Yousuf, flanked by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf here on Thursday, addressed a crowded media gathering which was, however, barred from asking any question on the issue.

Yousuf, who has been claiming that he was treated shabbily by the board, said that some misunderstanding created problems between him and the board but it has now been removed.

He met with the PCB chairman, chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed and captain Shoaib Malik earlier in the day and signed the central contract as well.

In his short comments, the prolific batsman said: “Pakistan is my first priority as it gave me name and what I am today is all because of the country. I can even sacrifice my life for it”.

Clarifying his position on joining the breakway Indian league last month, Yousuf said: “In fact I could not read one of the clauses of the ICL which binds me to give priority to the league instead of the country. Therefore, I signed up having no worry that it could deprive me of my country’s cricket. I joined the ICL for a better future, not to give up my game for Pakistan,” he said.

Dr Nasim, looking deighted with the development, said it was a great occasion that Pakistan cricket had got back the services of Yousuf who, he said, had signed the central contract with the board.

“Yousuf is a great player and we always consider him as the backbone of Pakistan batting,” said Dr Nasim. “I have already said that he (Yousuf) is a gentleman and will prefer Pakistan cricket over anything else.”

The chairman assured that the PCB will do everything in its power to protect Yousuf from any possible legal action from the ICL.

Meanwhile, sources said the PCB approached Yousuf’s spirtual leader in Raiwind to ask the middle-order batsman to leave the ICL. Yousuf did not show any resistance after the leader asked him, sources said.

Sources further told Dawn that the ICL might get a stay order against Yousuf, for breaching the contract and it could prevent Yousuf from touring India with the Pakistan team in Nov-Dec.

Sources also said that the PCB was ready to compensate Yousuf for cancelling the ICL agreement.