Butt to meet Afridi, to take call on Younus' future

Karachi:

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ejaz Butt has summoned one-day captain Shahid Afridi for a meeting on August 23 to decide on the future of former skipper Younus Khan.

Well informed sources in the Pakistan Cricket board said that Afridi had been called for for a one-on-one meeting with Butt to discuss the forthcoming ODI series in England.

"There are clear indications that in the meeting it will be decided if Younis Khan should be considered for the ODI series in England," one source said.

He said Afridi and Butt's August 23 meeting carry huge significance, especially on the context that the national selectors will be finalising the squad for ODIs and Twenty20 matches in England the next day.

Incidentally, there have been reliable reports that due to pressure from the top the PCB Chairman has already indicated to the selectors that they should consider Younus for the forthcoming ODI series.

"The PCB chairman is apparently being misled because Younus has filed no case against the board after the appellate tribunal lifted his ban," said Iqbal Mohammad Ali, who heads the National Assembly Standing Committee on Sports.

Iqbal said he had also spoken to Butt recently and discussed about Younus's comeback to the national team.

"Butt appeared to have changed his stance on Younus and indications are that he should be back in the team soon," he said.

Pakistan will play two Twenty20 matches and five ODIs against England from September 5 onwards.