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MUMBAI:
Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar has confirmed that he will
participate in BCCI's Indian Premier League (IPL), which kicks
off on 18 April 2008.
He
has also confirmed his desire to win back a contract with
the Pakistan Cricket Board, and he is hoping that following
talks over the next few days this will be achieved.
“My
absolute priority in my cricket career has always been to
take wickets for Pakistan and help my country win matches.
I am hopeful of entering a new contract with my board very
soon,” he says.
Akhtar
also dismissed recent speculation surrounding his involvement
in the DLF IPL.
“My
commitment to the DLF IPL is absolute. There is a lot of talk
flying around players at the moment regarding the new Twenty20
competitions, but I have signed with the DLF IPL and I am
so excited about the upcoming bid process and finding out
which franchisee I will play for.
"I
have recently spoken with Mr Lalit Modi and am so impressed
with what he has created here, and I want to play a big part
in this venture succeeding for everyone.”
Akhtar’s
commitment to this is underlined by the fact that he will
travel to India in the early part of next week to hold talks
with franchises ahead of the player bid process in Mumbai
on 20 February, which he will also attend.
His
agent, David Ligertwood of Essentially Group, the international
sports business that has signed around 20 players to the DLF
IPL, will accompany Akhtar to India. He says, “This is
an exciting week for Shoaib and all other players contracted
to the DLF IPL. We have just agreed the long-form player contract,
which Shoaib and all other players will sign in the next 48
hours. We are now waiting to find out on the 20th which city
and franchise will Shoaib service.”
Akhtar
went on to say, “I can’t wait to be allocated to
a city and franchise. My contract with them will be a three-year
deal initially, so I am in it for the long haul. I cannot
wait to interact with the local fan base and become one of
their own players.
"If
I am able to win even a fraction of the love the Indian people
have for their players, it will be amazing. And I will be
giving everything I can to try and achieve that for the next
three years and hopefully beyond”.
As
had been reported earlier by indiantelevision.com,
the Essel Group's ICL had roped in several Pakistani players.
Also
Read
ICL
lures Pakistani players with lucrative deals
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