The Mohammad Yousuf Saga
After facing an embarrassing defeat at Trent Bridge, PCB has made some significant changes in their squad. The management has called upon former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Raza-Hasan-c84407, the left-arm spinner.
Yousuf had recently announced his retirement in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746. Although the PCB had put a ban on him for an indefinite period, he did not bring his past into account and immediately gave his consent to join the team.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Khan-c71319, the chief selector of Pakistani cricket team says that the decision to welcome Yousuf back to international cricket was unanimous. He says, “I heard several people from the tour management calling out for Yousuf. We discussed the probability of him playing in England and after giving it some consideration, we Okayed him. Yousuf has been regularly training and is all ready to take up his place in the tournament.”
Speculations are that cricket fans might see Yousuf striking back on Edgbaston in the second Test, only if he manages to get hold of a proper visa and makes to the match on time. Cricket pundits are of the view that Yousuf can reinforce the batting line, despite his wavering performance since March. According to a team source, “A man with much experience as Yousuf should not miss playing in Pakistan’s tour to England.” However, the captain of the team Salman Butt and the coach, Waqar Younis were not consulted for any changes. They were only informed by the officials, once the changes were confirmed.
To the disappointment of many, PCB did not extend the invitation to Younis Khan. The officials believe that Yousuf is the foundation that the squad currently needs. Pakistani team has also risked losing out its veteran spin bowler Danish Kaneria for a relatively newbie. PCB officially declared that Danish Kaneria would be released for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Essex-c783. The board has currently booked 18-year-old Hasan for the remaining tournament. So far, Hasan has played two first-class matches and might make it to the Birmingham Test.
Danish Kaneria, the top notch bowler of Pakistani Test cricket, failed to utilize any bit of his potential during the match. He wiped off any chances of victory by finishing off at 1 for 171. Since his recent performances against Australia have been below the line, the management did not take long to declare him as “released.”
Captain Salman Butt says that Kaneria is the “connoisseur” of their team. “We can’t just let our strength go wasted by forcing him to sit in the dressing room. We should think of a way, which would help him regain his composure for the upcoming games. The best way is to lend him to the county, so that he regains his glint.” The captain and the coach had a word with Kaneria after the Pakistani team lost the Test. According to Butt, “Kaneria felt very low. But he insisted of hitting back strong. And that was what I was craving to hear.” When asked from Kaneria to comment on the management’s decision to let him on the rampage, the player with 261 Test wickets refrained from coming up with any kind of statement.
“We really don’t have to bother about the players they put in and the players they release. Instead of wasting our energies on their decisions, we will utilize them in concentrating on our performance and the tournament in general,” Andy Flower, England’s coach said, when questioned about recent shuffle in the Pakistani team.
The next Test is scheduled to be held from August 6 to August 10, 2010 at Birmingham, England.
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