LAHORE, Sept 1: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) first official attempt to convince Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq and Imran Farhat to dissociate themselves from the Indian Cricket League (ICL) went in vain on Saturday with none of the players responding positively.

The PCB Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf himself made the telephonic contact with all the three ‘defectors’ in a bid to lure them back to the Pakistan ranks. However, all three rejected the offer, much to the surprise of the board officials.

It is also significant to note that the PCB chief made no attempt whatsoever on Saturday to contact former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq who has also joined the rebel league.

Sources close to the team are of the opinion that apart from being disgruntled with the board for their axing from the Twenty20 World Championship, both Yousuf and Razzaq consider Inzamam as their mentor and want the PCB to take the burly Multan-born batsman into confidence also. The sources added that all efforts to convince Yousuf and Razzaq were likely to fail until the time Inzamam was approached by the board to make a comeback.

Meanwhile, opener Imran Farhat who has his own grouse against the board and the selectors, spoke to the chairman at length on Saturday. Dr Ashraf asked him to reconsider his decision but the diminutive player did not commit anything to him during the conversation.

It became fairly evident from the response of Yousuf and others on Saturday that they are clearly not enticed by the bonus package offered by the PCB on Friday. “Such financial offers cannot change our mind and we want changes in the PCB set-up and a new selection committee in place,” one of the three players told Dawn on condition of anonymity.

“Besides, the ICL has made a much lucrative offer to us compared to the PCB, and even if the Indian League does not take off due to any reason, we have other good offers to keep us busy,” added the player.

Opinion

Editorial

A dying light
Updated 23 Jan, 2025

A dying light

Objections to the 26th Amendment must be settled quickly for the Supreme Court's sake.
Controversial canals
23 Jan, 2025

Controversial canals

THE Punjab government’s contentious plans to build new canals to facilitate corporate farming in the province ...
Killjoys
23 Jan, 2025

Killjoys

THE skies over Lahore have fallen silent. Punjab’s latest legislation banning kite flying represents a troubling...
Errant ECP
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Errant ECP

THE ECP has once again earned a detailed reprimand from the Supreme Court. That it still refuses to correct course is ominous
Fast-tracking M6
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Fast-tracking M6

GRAND infrastructure projects in Pakistan often progress at the pace of a bullock cart rather than a bullet train....
Gwadar airport
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Gwadar airport

THE air connectivity established by the inauguration of PIA flights between Karachi and Gwadar is a major step...