LAHORE, Nov 5: Soon after Pakistan prolific batsman Mohammad Yousuf announced in India that he had rejoined the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) on Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) imposed ban on him.

“After two days of confusion, the PCB came to know through TV reports that [Mohammad Yousuf] has rejoined the ICL so the board is imposing an immediate ban on him, like other Pakistani cricketers, who have joined the ICL,” Zakir Khan, PCB Director Cricket Operations International, told reporters here on Wednesday.

“The central contract with Yousuf has also been suspended forthwith.”

With the three-match One-day International series against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi just a few days away, Khalid Latif has been named as Yousuf’s replacement.

“The selectors have recommended Khalid as Yousuf’s replacement for the [Abu Dhabi] series but the chairman [Ijaz Butt] is to give a final approval in this regard,” Zakir added.

“The PCB will also claim all the expenses [from Yousuf] it has incurred on bringing Yousuf back from the ICL last year. And if he does not make the payment, the PCB will file a legal case to recover it,” Zakir stated.

While explaining the board’s stance after Yousuf said in New Delhi that with the ICL not stopping him from playing for Pakistan, he was available for his national team too, Zakir said it was not possible since like other boards, the PCB had also adopted a policy to ban any player till his association with the ICL.

Yousuf had joined the ICL last year along with many other Pakistani cricketers. But the former PCB management, headed by Dr Nasim Ashraf, managed to bring him back, taking all responsibilities of the legal fight for it. The PCB also offered him a good monetary compensation besides helping him sign a contract with Indian Premier League (IPL) recognised by the ICC and the BCCI.

However, the ICL had moved to an arbitration court, which gave a decision in favour of the league authorities. The PCB had challenged the case in an Indian court.

With the case still in the court, Yousuf changed his mind to rejoin the ICL, fearing little, his decision could ruin his illustrious international career with every possibility of a PCB ban. Moreover, the IPL could also sue him for breaching the contract with it.

“We have some reports from the IPL authorities that they are reviewing the entire situation very carefully and they can also move to the court to stop Yousuf from playing for the ICL,” Zakir said.

Yousuf had left for India quietly on Monday, the day when the selectors announced the 15-member squad for the Abu Dhabi series, that included the name of the middle-order batsman.

The PCB tried its level best to contact Yousuf to confirm whether he was going to rejoin the ICL. However, it could only make a contact with his wife, who confirmed that Yousuf had gone to India to play.

Reuters adds: Zakir said there would not be any exception for Yousuf regarding the PCB policy over the ICL.

“There will be no exception made for Yousuf to the board’s policy on the ICL which will remain the same until it is changed by the International Cricket Council (ICC),” he said.