January 31, 2008	Thursday	Muharram 21, 1429

FAISALABAD, Jan 30: Pakistan’s attorney general has described as unjustified the ban imposed on six cricketers by the country’s national cricket board for joining the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Malik Mohammad Qayyum told a private television channel on Wednesday that the ban went against the fundamental rights of a citizen of Pakistan.“If these players decide to seek redress from the court then they have a strong case against the board as the ban is not justified,” Qayyum said.

Six Pakistani players including former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, appeared in the ICL’s inaugural Twenty20 league in India last month.

On their return, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) imposed a domestic ban on the players and informed them would no longer be eligible for the national side.

“The ban is a clear-cut case of restraining someone from earning from his trade,” stated Qayyum, backing the players’ bid to seek legal action.

“The board can’t stop a player from earning his livelihood. The ban on playing domestic cricket can be challenged by the players.”

Despite shunning the ICL, the PCB has no objection to players joining the rival Indian Premier League (IPL), sanctioned by the BCCI.—Reuters