Farhat stays defiant on ICL contract

Published: April 03, 2009

LAHORE - Pakistan's former Test opener Imran Farhat has refuted speculation that all Pakistani players in the ICL wanted to end their contracts with the rebel League and play for their country again as the future of the ICL was bleak.
He also dismissed suggestions that he and other players had given in writing to the Pakistan Cricket Board they would cancel their ICL contracts if reconsidered for selection.
It is worth a mention that Farhat is son-in-law of former Test cricketer Mohammad Ilyas who currently the PCB's junior selection and is known to be among close friends of chairman PCB Ijaz Butt.
"I think there is some misunderstanding. I have given no undertaking to the Board that I will cancel my ICL contract if they select me for Pakistan," Farhat said in television talk show.
"It is also wrong to say that the ICL is being wound up and that they have already cancelled our contracts that is why some of the players now are offering to play for Pakistan again," he said.
Farhat made it clear so far the ICL had not informed him and most of the other players of any plans to cancel their contracts and the players were waiting for the next tournament which was until now scheduled in November.
But, in a swift change of hearts, Farhat and another ICL player, Test batsman Hasan Raza, said on the show their priority was to always play for Pakistan and if the Board selected them they would rethink their future options.
"As it is, the ICL contract never prevented us from playing for our country even during the League if we were required for national duty," Hasan said and added "it is the Board's decision to ban us and this only hurt Pakistan."

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