Shoaib, Afridi & Asif turned down ICL Contract
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Naseem Ashraf, has lauded the country’s players for showing patriotism by turning down lucrative offers to join a breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL).
“We had faith in our players that they will not join the Indian league. I was least bothered because I know my players and was sure that they would not join any league which is neither accepted by the Indian board nor by the International Cricket Council,” he said.
BCCI not accepting ICL has created many problems for the Twenty20 league. Pakistani bowler, Shoaib Akhtar himself confirmed the news that he had refused the multi million deal as riches did not matter, however representing his nation was fairly more important than money. He was amongst those high-ended players who were offered lucrative schemes to be a part of this cricket league.
For some more information on the league, it is owned by the Essel Group in India that owns one of the largest media firm in India called Zee Telefilms Ltd.
The other two players besides Shoaib Akhtar that turned down the offer included the very aggressive Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Asif. They all made patriotic comments “quoting” their love for the country. They added on saying that it was Pakistan that had given them the necessary fame and name; hence they wouldn’t like to leave playing for their own country. When these players turned down the offers, they were contacted back with a revised offer and the latest buzz is that they preferred to stick to their decision.
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