Pakistan cricket chiefs have followed up draconian sanctions on seven of their leading players by barring members of the national squad from playing abroad.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), who banned the star performers on charges of indiscipline during the national team’s tour of Australia, have now demanded anyone wanting to play abroad must get permission from them beforehand.
Several of Pakistan’s 18-man World Twenty20 squad players were scheduled to play in private leagues in Bangladesh later this month.
But a PCB statement said: “No player is allowed to play cricket outside Pakistan without having prior approval from the board.
“Any player interested to play cricket in any part of the world should apply to the board to seek permission for the same.”
Australia's Michael Clarke has revealed he is looking forward to focusing on playing cricket again following the recent high-profile upheaval in his private life.
The Australia vice-captain has recently broken up with his model girlfriend Lara Bingle, and admits he can’t wait to put that behind him and concentrate on his sport.
“It was important to get back into the nets and have a good bat,” said the 28-year-old ahead of Australia’s first Test against New Zealand, which begins at the Basin Reserve tomorrow.
“I’m sure I will get a little bit of stick off the crowd but I don’t mind that.”
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