KARACHI, Dec 24: Pakistan players taking part in the Indian Premier league have been asked to sign consent forms that would enable franchisees to put them on sale in the transfer market.

“Some of these players have been told by their IPL team management that it would be unlikely they would be able to get clearance to play the next season,” a source close to the players said.

“Some players have been told they would need to sign consent forms which would allow the teams to make them available on the transfer market,” the source added.

With the current tension in India-Pakistan ties, it was highly unlikely any team would bid for them and sign them once they are released by their original teams. The source said the consent form would be needed because players usually had three-year contracts with the IPL and were unlikely to suffer major financial setbacks even if they don’t play in the Twenty20 tournament.

“But given the circumstances in India it would be diplomatically and politically a problem for Indians to have Pakistan players in the IPL next season until the situation improves,” the source said.

Top Pakistan players have contracts with the IPL including captain Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir, Younis Khan, Salman Butt and others.

Sources said Pakistan players were also aware of the situation and some of them had even started exploring the possibility of playing for English county teams this summer.

“Pakistan is due to host Australia in April for five one-dayers, a series that is yet to be confirmed by Australia due to the security situation. Pakistan next goes to the Twenty20 World Cup in England and their next assignment is the Champions Trophy in September and October and then a tour to Australia later in the year,” another source said.

“So they are now trying to seek contracts with county teams,” he said.

Sources also said that players having contracts with the Indian Cricket League had been informed that if they don’t get visas to travel to India for the remaining ICL season from April, the ICL might consider moving its tournament to some neutral venue.

“Unlike the IPL, the presence of Pakistan players is very necessary for the ICL as it has one team from Lahore and is also working in having one team from Karachi in the league.” —Agencies