Lahore, Mar 29 : Pakistan Cricket Board chief Ijaz Butt has denied media reports that Mohammad Yousuf is ready to leave the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) to return to national duty.

“I have been hearing about it (Yousuf’s plans to quit ICL) from the media,” said Butt, a former Pakistani Test opener.

“I can comment for sure once I receive a formal request from the player,” he added.

Napier, Mar. 29 : Batsman Jesse Ryder is on track to becoming the fastest New Zealand cricketer to reach 1000 test runs.

According to a Sunday Star report, Ryder has so far scored 768 runs from 14 test innings and needs another 232 to reach 1000.

The Kiwi record holders for the fastest 1000 runs, a benchmark in test cricket, are John F Reid and Mark Richardson, who both took 20 innings to post a grand.

Pretoria, Mar. 29 : Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting has identified big-hitting South Africa all-rounder Albie Morkel as the player to stop in the Pro20 international on Sunday.

Morkel smashed four boundaries and two sixes to score 37 off 19 balls as South Africa beat Australia by four wickets on Friday to win the first Pro20 match at the Wanderers.

He also starred with similar late-innings hitting as the Proteas won a one-day international series 4-1 in Australia in January.

Cape Town, Mar. 28 : Former Proteas medium pacer Charl Langeveldt has joined the Indian Premier League (IPL).

According to Sports24, Langeveldt has struck a deal with the Kolkata Knight Riders after his county team Derbyshire ‘reluctantly’ set him free to participate in the five week cricket extravaganza starting from April 18.

“I am pleased he has the opportunity to play alongside the world’s best in the IPL competition. We will undoubtedly miss a bowler of Charl’s experience and ability for the early part of the season,” Head of Cricket at Derbyshire, John Morris said.

Karachi, Mar. 28: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that it is still undecided on whether to recall Mohammad Yousuf in the national team or not.

Yousuf, who has been barred by the board from playing international cricket after he joined the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), had expressed his desire to play for Pakistan.

The PCB is seeking views of legal experts over the issue, but has also made it clear that Yousuf would only be considered for the selection after he terminated his contract with the ICL.