Speculation about Imran Farhat's [Images] aligning with the Indian Cricket League ended on Monday when the Pakistani opener admitted joining the rebel body.
Farhat's announcement came hours after experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq's [Images] quit international cricket in protest against "the insulting and discriminatory attitude" of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
"I have signed up because apparently they are not willing to play me in the Pakistan team. So I have to play cricket somewhere to earn a living. But I am always available for Pakistan," Farhat said.
"I want to play for Pakistan but I don't think I will get a fair chance with this selection committee. It has not treated me fairly or on merit.
"I am not happy at the way the selectors have treated me. They have not made selections on merit and I had no option but to think of my future," said Farhat, who played 27 Tests for Pakistan.
Farhat said he felt like an outsider in the national training camp for the Twenty20 World Cup and consulted his family and friends before taking the decision.
Farhat said he joined the ICL because he got a good chance to earn a living.
"I had no option but to sign up with the ICL as they had made a very good offer to me. For me playing in the Indian league is just like playing for any other club in any country when I am not needed for national duty," he added.
Farhat last week asked the PCB to release him from his central contract which apparently has been done.
Reports of Inzamam-ul-Haq [Images], Mohammad Yousuf [Images], Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood joining the league have now gained credence after Farhat's confirmation.
Azhar Mahmood, who is in England [Images] playing for Surrey, said he is also close to signing a deal with the ICL.
"I was a member of World Cup team and I was willing to leave my county contract and return to Pakistan to appear in the camp for the Twenty20 World Cup. But no one has bothered to tell me why they have ignored me or didn't give me a central contract," Mahmood said.
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