By IANS
Chandigarh : The Indian Cricket League (ICL) Monday said that Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf could face a severe commercial penalty if he breached his contract with the league.
Amidst reports that Yousuf had expressed his unwillingness to join the ICL and that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had offered to fully back their player in his legal fight with the league, a top ICL official said Yousuf will not be allowed to breach the contract so easily.
Yousuf, who is part of Pakistan team currently touring India, has been summoned before the arbitrator — retired judge B.B. Saraf — in Mumbai Wednesday (Nov 21) after the ICL management sent him a legal notice.
“He has been sent a legal notice. We will not allow him to become a bad example for others to follow. We will deal with him legally,” ICL’s chief executive Ashish Kaul told reporters here. Kaul said that the matter was before the arbitrator and would be decided legally.
The Pakistan team begins its first Test match against India at Delhi Thursday and it will be difficult for Yousuf to appear before the arbitrator in Mumbai just a day before the match in Delhi.
“Yousuf will face a very severe commercial penalty if he breaches the contract. He has received good money from the ICL. It is a legal matter now and any backing by the PCB does not change our stand,” Kaul pointed out.
Mohammad Yousuf was the top scorer on either side with 283 runs in five matches in the just concluded one-day international (ODI) series between India and Pakistan that India won 3-2.
Yousuf, who was earlier known as Yousuf Youhana, changed his name to Mohammad Yousuf two years ago after embracing Islam.