Butt wants Younus' return in Australia tour

Karachi:

Out-of-form Younus Khan has got the much-needed backing from PCB Chairman Ezaj Butt, who expressed his desire to see the regular captain's comeback in next month's Australia tour.

Younus had pulled out of the ongoing New Zealand tour earlier this month due to poor form and the Pakistan Cricket Board subsequently appointed Mohammad Yousuf as the stand-in skipper for the series.

After attending a hearing of the Public accounts committee in Islamabad, Butt told reporters that personally he wanted to see Younus play in Australia. "I can't say whether it will be as captain or just a senior player but I definitely want him to play in Australia," Butt said.

The PCB chief, however, made it clear a final call on Younus return rests with the national selectors. "I am not one to interfere in the selectors domain. They are the ones who must decide on the team for the tour to Australia," Butt stated.

He also squashed speculations that Younus career could be over if Pakistan did well in New Zealand under Yousuf.

"I think that is rubbish because Younus to my mind remains one of our finest batsmen especially at the Test level and he still has a lot to give to Pakistan cricket," Butt said.

Butt also played down questions about Younus not playing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches despite pulling out of the New Zealand tour due to poor form.

"He has just returned from England after attending the captain's conference of the ICC. I had requested him to attend the meeting and he went. But I am sure he will be back playing domestic cricket soon," he said.

Asked about reports that some players had conspired against Younus during the ODI series against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi that forced the senior batsman to opt out the Test tour, Butt said, "Some things reported by the media might be true but he requested me that he wanted a break from international cricket to recoup and I accepted his point of view."

Sources close to Younus said that he is likely to be seen in action in the later part of of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy for his domestic side Habib bank.