Meanwhile, Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf has been cleared by the one-man arbitration panel, hearing a petition by the rebel Indian Cricket League against the player, to take part in a the auction, PTI adds from Karachi.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board and its legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi, the arbitration panel has suspended a stay order it issued earlier against Yousuf from signing up for the IPL.

Yousuf, one of the highest-paid players in the IPL players pool, is one of the star attractions in the IPL bidding process. “I never went into a final contract with the ICL,” Yousuf said, regarding the controversy.

Bond to join ICL

•In Wellington, fast bowler Shane Bond cut his ties with New Zealand cricket today to play for the rebel Indian Cricket League, reports AFP. New Zealand Cricket confirmed today that Bond had terminated his contact after failing to reach an agreement which would have allowed him to continue his international career while playing in the Indian competition.

“Bond has been sympathetic to NZC’s situation,” New Zealand Cricket said in a statement. “Despite his playing agreements allowing him to continue playing for (New Zealand) and the ICL agreement only requiring his services when international commitments allow, he has decided in the best interests of NZC to terminate his playing agreement,” it said. “This has occurred by mutual consent.”

Bond, 32, played only 17 Tests for New Zealand in an injury-plagued career, taking 79 wickets at an average of 22.39. He took 125 wickets in 67 one-day internationals at an average of 19.32.

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