Indian Premier League and Cricket News by IPL Cricket Forum

Shoaib Akhtar’s cricketing options are running out fast with the
Indian Cricket League (ICL) ruling out roping in the erratic speedster unless he
is cleared of the five-year ban imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Akhtar, who had joined the Shah Rukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight
Riders team for Rs 1.8 crore, has already been barred by the Indian Premier
League (IPL), which insisted the pacer would have to get the ban removed if he
wanted to play in the cash-rich Twenty20 extravaganza starting later this month.

In such a scenario, aligning with the ‘rebel’ league would have been
an option for the beleaguered pacer but even that looks difficult now with ICL
authorities making it clear that they would not welcome the pacer unless he
clears the ban.

“Look we want to promote cricket and we don’t want
to spoil our relations with anyone for anyone,” ICL executive board chairman
Kapil Dev said.

“I don’t think it would look right that a player who
is under ban from his board is entertained by us. And I also think that even a
one year ban makes it difficult for a cricketer to make an international
comeback,” he said.

Asked if the ICL would still be willing to pay
huge sums of money to Akhtar for the ICL, Dev said one could not predict what
would be the scenario in the next few months.

Incidentally, Akhtar
had turned down an ICL offer even though compatriots like Inzamam-ul-Haq aligned
with the rebel league.