Cricket News: ‘Retired’ Former Pakistan Captain Mohammad Yousuf is Ready for International Duty
Pakistan prime batsman Mohammad Yousuf was banned by PCB following Pakistan’s horrific tournament against Australia earlier this year. Mohammad Yousuf, out of sheer disappointment, opted to retire from cricket and since then has not played any cricket for Pakistan. The former captain now looks to make a comeback for Pakistan, provided he gets a respectable return in the international arena. Shahid Afridi decided to take retirement from test cricket after http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s first (150 runs) defeat against Australia in the MCC Spirit of Cricket Test Series. Speculations were circulating in the media that Yousuf might be called back in squad as captain of the Test team; however, these rumours turned out to be false, since Salman Butt has now been appointed as the new captain for Pakistan’s test squad.
Yousuf was eyeing his comeback later this year in UAE, but Pakistan’s struggling position in batting against Australia forced him to change his decision. Yousuf, in a recent press conference, said that he is ready and willing to play for the national side whenever required. Pakistani bowlers performed brilliantly in the recent Test match against Australia, but suffered a massive defeat because of poor batting performance. The Pakistani batting line-up could only manage 148 in first innings (in reply to Australia’s 253) and 289 in second innings. Salman Butt was the only star performer with the bat (with a score of 63 and 92 in the two innings), while the rest failed to convert small starts into big scores.
Yousuf, in a press conference in Karachi, said: "I am available any time for my national team. If the team doesn't need me I stand retired. But if I'm needed, I am ready and available to serve my country. If PCB invites me with respect I will definitely go and join the team."
PCB handed heavy bans and fines to senior players after Pakistan was whitewashed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Irfan-c64444 also reduced the punishments of Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal.
PCB and Pakistan skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ijaz-Butt-c64128 said: "If he takes back his retirement he will be welcomed back into the side. He is a great player and has a few more years in him. He has done so well for us and particularly on the last tour of England he was outstanding, so we would definitely be welcomed back."
Yousuf was found guilty of conspiring with other players to bring down Younis Khan as captain. The veteran batsman, however, denies such charges. Yousuf has now also shown his comfort to play under any captain. Previously, he had issues with almost all the captains of the national team. He publically criticized Shoaib Malik as a misfit captain. He was then seen lobbying against Younis Khan.
Salman Butt is Pakistan’s new Test captain, and if Yousuf plans to make a comeback, he will have to play under his leadership. Yousuf, in the same press conference, said that he is comfortable with anyone being captain, and will respect the decision of PCB. He said: "It's a PCB decision (appointing Butt) and everybody should respect it. I can play under any captain and have never felt degraded playing under anyone."
The newly appointed captain Salman Butt, however, has not discussed the inclusion of Yousuf in the current Test squad with PCB. The left-handed opening batsman and captain is happy with his current squad, and believes the young batsmen have what it takes to win games. Butt was full of praise for Umar Amin and Azhar Ali. Butt, when asked about Yousuf and Younis, said: “Nobody can deny they are two great players but at the moment they haven't been discussed. We have to be content with what we have at hand. I'm very happy with the new boys who have come in. And even former players share the same opinion.”
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