The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Mohd. Yousuf disappears from the PCB radar

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Friday, Aug 31, 2007
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Mohd. Yousuf disappears from the PCB radar

Karachi: Pakistan’s top batsman Mohammad Yousuf has done the disappearing act with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) desperate to contact him and try to persuade him to leave the rebel Indian Cricket League and return to national duty.

PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf said on Thursday that efforts had been made to trace Yousuf but he was yet to be located.

“We don’t know where he is. His phones are all switched off,” he said.

Ashraf said he was keen to have a talk with Yousuf and try to persuade him to give preference to country over money.

“He remains our best batsman and we need him in the coming years. I will try my best to convince him to abandon this ICL contract. This despite the fact that Yousuf didn’t take us into confidence before joining the ICL.”

The media speculated that Yousuf might have already left for Chennai where the ICL has started its training camp for the first series of matches in October and November.

“We want to talk to Yousuf and persuade him that though he might get money by playing in the ICL but not recognition and name which is only available if he plays for his country,” Ashraf said.

The PCB chief was thankful to all those players who had rejected the ICL offer. — PTI

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