Yousuf and Razzaq had joined the ICL in 2007 and then renewed their contracts in 2008 after legal disputes denied them entry in the IPL. That move almost saw the end of their international careers with Pakistan. However they have a chance to resurrect their careers again. Razzaq, who hasn’t played for Pakistan for nearly two years has pledged his loyalty to the national team while saying that there is no greater pleasure than being able to play for the country. The two experienced cricketers were cleared on Friday by the Pakistan Board to play for the national team again and are expected to make the squad for the Test tour of Sri Lanka from June 27.

The PCB has cleared the players only because their resignation from the ICL is clear. "It is a great relief to be cleared to play for Pakistan again because I have missed the competition that is available while playing for your country," Yousuf is quoted saying. Many National cricket boards have set ‘cooling periods’ for their players before they are accepted into international cricket, but PCB are bringing both players into international cricket without further delay. "They are available for selection now and that is a good thing," Wasim Bari, director HR of the PCB, told Cricinfo. "Cooling period doesn't come into it."  

Meanwhile, the rest of the Pakistani cricketers are in England all set to reach for the Cup that they came so close to winning last year. The team seems more than well prepared to take on anyone after much training that included a conditioning camp, three practice games and the RBS Twenty20 Cup.

Coach Intikhab Alam told reporters before the squad left for England: "No one can make any predictions about Twenty20 matches but I am backing my team to do very well because the preparations have been top-class.”

"They have been through a grueling conditioning camp in the mountains and have had very productive sessions with a sports psychologist," he added. "Whether it's a Test match, one-day or Twenty20 international, the sports psychologist has impressed upon the guys that cricket is a team game and not about individuals."

However Alam is unhappy about Shoaib Akhtar’s exclusion: "It is unfortunate because if he was fit and in the team he would have been a big asset for us as he is a very experienced and capable bowler." But Pakistan look strong with players like Umar Gul in the squad. They will play 2 warm-up games against India and South Africa before the tournament begins.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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