A day after prolific Test scorer Mohammad Yousuf joined the rebel Indian Cricket League, a shocked Pakistan Cricket Board said the loss of the senior batsman was a big setback for the team.

Shafqat Naghmi, chief executive of the Board, however, played down the signing of the three other players, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq and Imran Farhat.

“Yousuf’s signing is the biggest setback for us because he was required by the team,” Naghmi said. “I spoke to Yousuf today and he confirmed he has signed up with the ICL. It came as a shock to us because the team and Pakistan cricket still needs him. He is a quality player and will be missed.”

Naghmi also made it clear that the Board’s policy was clear that players who had signed up to play in the ICL would not be considered for national selection again.

“We don’t recognise the ICL as it is not a sanctioned tournament from the ICC or Indian Board.”

He said as far as Razzaq was concerned, he had not been performing well for the last two years.

“To be honest, he has not been in the best of form and it was getting difficult for him to get a place in the team.”

Naghmi said Razzaq’s decision to retire from international cricket in protest over the Board’s alleged indifferent attitude was a means to justify his signing up for the ICL.