LAHORE, April 1 Announcing the Indian Cricket League (ICL) affiliated players cannot be considered for Pakistan selection before they end their league contracts, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ijaz Butt said on Wednesday newly appointed Director General Javed Miandad will not have any concern with the international, financial and administrative affairs.

Talking to reporters here at the Gaddafi Stadium after the National One-day Cup final, Ijaz said the PCB, being aware of the new developments, could not contact the Pakistani players affiliated with the ICL.

“Though one month ago I had said that the ICL-affiliated players can play for Pakistan but now the situation [and the subsequent procedure] is different, according to which the players have to resign first and then produce NOC from the Indian league.

“Then the PCB will send it to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to get their clearance before considering their [players] selection in the national side,” the chairman said.

Prolific batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who is affiliated with the ICL and met the PCB chief recently along with Pakistan captain Younis Khan, was expected to return to Pakistan cricket, but now it is looking somewhat difficult. Several other players, namely Abdul Razzaq and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, have shown their interest to play for Pakistan again.

Answering a question on the appointment of Miandad, Ijaz said the former captain had signed the contract with the PCB, according to which he had a specific role to promote national cricket.

Ijaz explained Miandad would not have links with international, finance, and administrative affairs (of the board).
“Here [in the PCB], a good number of staff members are already working. They are doing their [respective] jobs and it does not look fair that Miandad will be doing every job in the presence of so many employees,” he said.

However, he asserted, the PCB could consult Miandad in any affair if needed as he was also the special adviser to PCB chief.

He negated the impression that the Chief Operating Officer (Saleem Altaf) would also be under the DG.
“The COO is a constitutional post appointed by the Governing Board, so both DG and COO have no clash [of duties],” he clarified.

The chairman also said that though no final title sponsorship could be attained for the forthcoming series against Australia, being held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from April 22 to May 7, some sponsors were in the line, adding soon a suitable sponsor would get the (sponsorship) right.

About the security arrangements in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the chairman said the local law and order authorities were quite capable in the UAE to provide high-level security for which the PCB would also bear the expense.

The series has been shifted to the neutral venues after Australia refused to tour Pakistan on security grounds.
Ijaz admitted that as no international team was ready to visit Pakistan due to security concerns, it was time to strengthen the domestic cricket.

APP adds Ijaz said Miandad will be the DG Cricket development, adding he will be having no role in administration or issues related to financial matters.

“He has signed the contract according to which he will assist the PCB in the cricket development only,” Ijaz stated.