Doors of international cricket still open for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Yousuf-c77465 – Cricket News Update
Chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Iqbal-Qasim-c76980, has expressed that Mohammad Yousuf can still return to the national team if the experienced middle-order batsman can prove his form and fitness during the on-going Faysal Bank T20 Tournament 2012-13 in Lahore.
Yousuf has been out of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 team since 2010 as he failed to convince the selectors about his fitness. The veteran player did not take part in the previous domestic season as well, which made his case weaker for national selection.
The cricketer from Lahore expressed his desire to return to international cricket earlier this year but the selectors asked him to play domestic cricket first. The great batsman did not play the President’s Trophy 2012-13, but was announced as Lahore http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808’ captain for the national T20 event.
Quite surprisingly, Yousuf handed over the leadership to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Hafeez-c76898, minutes before the side’s first match and has so far taken part in just one fixture of the tournament.
While speaking to Pakpassion, the chief selector expressed that doors of international cricket are still open for the elegant stroke-maker if he can do well at the domestic level.
Qasim said, “We'll have to see what his fitness levels are like and how he performs in the Faysal Bank T20. The ball is in Yousuf's court, he has a chance to impress the selectors, prove that he can still score runs, then he has every chance to play for Pakistan again. We are keeping an open mind regarding Yousuf.”
Yousuf is 38 and at the twilight of his career, but the former left-arm spinner feels that age is not a problem as long as the player is physically and mentally fit to compete against the best in the world.
“For me, age is not an issue. If the player is fit and in form then they deserve a place in the team. I've always felt that retirement should be down to the individual, it shouldn't be "forced" upon anyone,” he added.
It remains to be seen if the right-handed batsman takes part in the later stages of the T20 event to enhance his chances of making a comeback at the highest level of the sport.
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