Has it started happening? ICL is now allowing the players from other countries to play for their respective national team by freeing them from the contract to play in Indian Cricket League. The first country that has been accorded this sanction is New Zealand. In a communication, ICL has informed that it does not have a problem in off-loading players from the Kiwi country, of the likes of Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey if requested, so that they could become eligible for being considered for selection in the national team.
The decision of the ICL seems to be fallout of the recession that has probably hit it and therefore it has send an e-mail in this regard to the players from the foreign countries. It is also a noble gesture on the part of the ICL, as it does not want the players playing for it to suffer in their cricketing careers.
Both Bond and Tuffey have requested to the ICL that they may be released by the end of the next week so that they could be considered for selection in the national team. If ICL does that it would indeed make the third test between India and New Zealand a lively affair as a Bond at the top order in the bowling department would indeed test the skills and the patience of the Indian players.
In a related development Abdul Razzak and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan from Pakistan have also requested the ICL to relieve them of the contract so that they could come into the reckoning once again to play for Pakistan. The duo seems to be following in the footsteps of senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who has given an undertaking to Pakistan Cricket Board confirming that he would end his contract with the rebel league if would be considered for playing in Pakistan team.