February 20, 2008	Wednesday	Safar 12, 1429

NEW DELHI, Feb 19: Pakistan’s premier batsman Mohammad Yousuf may not be available for the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) auction on Wednesday due to a legal barrier.

Lawyers for the Indian Cricket League (ICL) have, in a letter to the owners of the IPL’s eight franchises, said Yousuf’s legal status is presently the subject of arbitration, under which his involvement in the IPL has been stayed.

“Mohammad Yousuf cannot participate in the tournament organised by the IPL or any other tournament organised by any other league in direct competition with the ICL,” ALMT, the lawyers representing the ICL, said in the letter.

“Such participation would amount to breach of the order and our clients reserve their right to take such other legal recourse against all parties concerned.”

Yousuf initially joined the ICL after being axed from Pakistan’s squad for the Twenty20 World Championship last September. Soon, however, he was convinced by the PCB to turn his back on the ICL, represent Pakistan and also sign up with the IPL, the rival league endorsed by the BCCI.

The matter went into arbitration where Yousuf’s lawyer, Tafuzzal Rizvi, argued he had “no contract” with the ICL as the money [paid to Yousuf] was “received back by the ICL without any objection”.

However, the presiding judge passed an order on Dec 15, 2007, restraining Yousuf from appearing in the IPL or any league rival to the ICL, and to maintain status quo till further orders.

Wednesday’s high-profile auction in Mumbai will see the eight franchises bid for 80-odd players, including several top internationals.

Yousuf’s name is included in the IPL’s roster but whether it will be there on Wednesday morning is debatable.—Agencies