Pakistani team would only welcome a fit Mohammad Yousuf – Mohammad Asif
Pakistani pace attacker Mohammad Asif has welcomed Mohammad Yousuf in the squad, provided he is fit for the match. Asif, when answering journalists in a press conference said that Mohammad Yousuf’s entry in the team depends upon the decision of the selection committee and Yousuf himself. Mohammad Asif ran down the rumours that Yousuf’s presence in the squad will create infighting.
Pakistan’s veteran batsman Mohammad Yousuf was granted visa on Wednesday, after which he boarded the plane for Edgbaston. The renowned batsman may have won the war against time to reach a day before Pakistan’s second test match against England, but his fitness still puts a question mark to his selection. Yousuf will join Pakistani training session the next afternoon. His arrival is likely to create uneasiness in the team because of his controversial role in Pakistan’s last tour to Australia. Mohammad was banned by PCB after Pakistan’s horrific tour to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746. The adept batsman was captaining Pakistani team when they received a humiliating white wash against Australia. The tour inquiry committee found Yousuf responsible for bickering and unrest within the team.
After the Australian tour, seven players received heavy fines and penalties. Except for the then captain, every one appealed against the decision, while Yousuf opted to retire from international cricket. It was only in the last month that Mohammad expressed his desire for a comeback. Pakistan’s recent defeat of 354 runs in the first test of the four test match series has created panic in PCB. The immediate reaction by the team manager Yawar Saeed was to call back Mohammad Yousuf, since http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755’s batting order could only manage 80 runs in the second innings of the initial Test. Coach Waqar Younis and Captain Salman Butt were disappointed because of this decision, since they were kept completely out of the loop, while deciding upon Mohammad’s fate.
Asif however cleared the air by saying that Yousuf is a world class cricketer and his services will add value to Pakistan’s troubled batting line. "For me he is one of the legends of the game [in Pakistan]. If he has agreed to join us he can play straight away," says the pace attacker. One of the journalist directly asked Asif, whether Yousuf’s inclusion would create a negative impact on the team. He very calmly said “No, I don’t think so”. Mohammad Asif was Pakistan’s best bowler in the first test match against England but he lacked support from his batting department, leading to a shocking defeat. This was Pakistan’s second biggest defeat in terms of runs.
Asif however stressed that his team will be depending on the young squad since they are the team’s real future. Asif comments were more in line with the coach and captain, rather than team manager Yawar Saeed. "We are not depending on him [Yousuf] actually. We still depend on the young side. We need to focus on the Test matches and learn how to handle the pressure over five days. This sport is quite difficult and we can win a Test match, if we work on each session. Twenty20 is just one of the sessions."
Pakistan’s batting order is fresh and lacks test temperament. The batsmen have a brilliant track record in T20 and ODI’s, but their performance in the test series is below par. It will be a tough task for the selection committee to decide if they are to include Mohammad Yousuf or not. The exceptionally talented batsman has not played any competitive cricket since Pakistan’s last tour to Australia. Mohammad Asif also raised his doubt about Yousuf’s fitness for international cricket, "We don't know whether he is in good form or not," he said. "I have not seen him but I have heard he has been practising hard at national cricket academy in Lahore. It is totally his and selections committees call."
Fans are anxiously waiting for the PCBs results regarding Yousuf’s fate. The test begin on August 6, 2010, in Edgbaston.
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