The Indian Cricket League (ICL) rubbished Mohammad Asif's claim that he was approached by the 'rebel' league with a mouth-watering offer and said the disgraced Pakistani pacer first has to come out clean from all doping charges.
ICL executive board member and tournament director, Kiran More said they have no intentions of signing up the dope-tainted pacer, who seemed to have been spreading false rumours to pressurise the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Asif claimed recently that he had been offered lucrative contract by the ICL through former Pakistan skipper Moin Khan and has no option but to defect to the league since the PCB had suspended him from all forms of cricket.
"We have never made any offer to Asif and don't have any plan either. The reports are absolutely baseless. Even when I first heard, it was a news to me," More said.
Asif is presently locked in an expensive legal battle with the PCB to avoid a possible two-year ban after tested positive for a contraband substance while playing for the Delhi Daredevils team in inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
"If he wishes to play in the ICL, then also he won't be allowed to until and unless he is cleared of all doping charges because we adopt very stringent policy against doping," More said.
The former India wicketkeeper also expressed satisfaction over the progress made by the breakaway league. He believes that getting official recognition for the ICL is just a matter of time now despite the first round of dialogue with the BCCI not going to plans.
"We had a very short meeting with BCCI president Shashank Manohar but till now nothing has been worked out. We have again written to the ICC and are waiting for their response.
"Things have been very positive. People are now getting to know what exactly the ICL is. People are speaking for us as well. We have done our bid, now just waiting for the ICC's feedback," More said.
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