Gayle decision 'surprises' West Indies Cricket Board

Chris Gayle, the former captain, has angered the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) by making himself unavailable for the entire home series against Pakistan so he can play in the Indian Premier League.

The WICB said in a statement yesterday that while Gayle was rehabilitating from an abdominal strain suffered at the World Cup, it repeatedly informed him he would be considered for national team duty when fit.

The board said he was not ready to be included in the squads for the opening Twenty20 international today and the first two one-dayers of a five-match series.

So it was "surprised" Gayle accepted a request from the Royal Challengers Bangalore to join them as an injury replacement.

"The WICB does not accept Gayle's reason for making himself unavailable but, as he has clearly made his choice and has travelled to India, the WICB does not wish to stand in his way," the statement said.