Lahore, Jan.29 : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that batsman Mohammad Yousuf will take part in the Indian Premier League's (IPL) players' auction on February 8.

A PCB spokesman was speaking in response to a question related to the rival Indian Cricket League's (ICL) petition with an arbitration court saying Yousuf had signed an agreement with them, taken an advance and then backed out of his contract.

The arbitration court had ordered a stay on the veteran batsman signing up with the IPL. Yousuf had earlier terminated his contract with the ICL in August after PCB chairman Nasim Asharaf persuaded him to do so.

The IPL is the Indian cricket board's multi-million dollar professional Twenty20 league that has been launched to counter the ICL.

"The arbitration proceedings before arbitrator in Mumbai were fixed for January 24 wherein Yousaf was represented by Taffuzal Rizvi, Advocate, who moved two applications before the arbitrator. 1: That the arbitrator is biased as he has passed an ad-interim ex-parte stay order and a suit is pending in the Lahore High Court against this stay. 2: That since Yousaf has already returned the money paid by the ICL without any objection therefore there is no contract between the parties anymore. This money was returned by Yousaf before singing a contract with the IPL," the Daily Times quoted the PCB spokesman, as saying.

"The ad-interim stay against Yousaf is of no significance as it is yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, Yousaf's name will be included in the IPL players bidding on February 8," he added.

He said the arbitrator had issued notices to the ICL on these applications and they would be argued next month.

ANI