Karachi: In a surprise move, Pakistan Cricket Board has named Shabbir Ahmed and Rana Naved, who are contracted with the Indian Cricket League, to play for WAPDA against Hong Kong in a practice one-day game at the Bagh-e-Jinnah ground in Lahore today.

The duo were among 16 players who have contracts with the ICL and have thus been banned from playing domestic cricket tournaments in Pakistan. The ban extends to all tournaments and matches organised by the PCB.

Since the Hong Kong team is touring Pakistan to play one-day games to prepare for the forthcoming Asia Cup, the matches they play certainly come under the preview of the Board.

Sources in the Board said that the domestic ban does not apply to Twenty20 cricket but the match being played on Bagh-e-Jinnah is a 50-overs affair.

"We don't know if the Board has cleared Shabbir who is going to captain WAPDA and Rana to play against Hong Kong," one source said.

"But it will be interesting to see what happens on Wednesday as the Board had specifically sent letters to all its affiliated units including WAPDA telling them all players who took part in unauthorised tournaments or leagues (including ICL) were not eligible to play in domestic cricket.
Source : PTI