Five Pakistan players including skipper Younus Khan have threatened to take the Indian Premier League to court over the termination of their contracts with the Twenty20 league.

The Pakistan government had refused to sanction permission for players to travel to India for the IPL due to diplomatic and political tensions between the two countries arising from the Mumbai terror attacks.

And Younus said: “It is their right to seek legal redress for their dues if they are not allowed to play.”

IPL organisers told franchises they could either terminate contracts with Pakistan players making them free agents or suspend their contracts, allowing players to remain with clubs.

With the IPL being shifted to South Africa, Pakistan’s players had demanded they be allowed to play. That demand was turned down by the IPL as franchises had already finalised their teams.

Apart from Younus, Shoaib Akhtar, Salman Butt (Kolkata Knight Riders), Shahid Afridi (Deccan Chargers) and Shoaib Malik (Delhi Daredevils), who’s contracts were terminated, are now exploring the possibility of taking legal action against the IPL.

Players are demanding they be paid for the entire duration of their three year contract although they only served one year.

Younus said although his contract with the Rajasthan Royals was terminated on his request, he fully backed the move of the other players.

“The Royals wanted to transfer me to another team which I didn’t want,” Younus said. “So I asked to be released well in advance for the second season.

“But I think the way the contracts of the others was terminated was unfair.”
Source – google.com