I'll play for Pakistan if elders allow me: Yousuf

Karachi:

Pakistan former captain Muhammad Yousuf said he would revoke his decision to retire from international cricket only if his "elders" give him the permission to do this.

"If fate allows I will play for Pakistan again but only if my elders give me permission," Yousuf said.

Without naming the "elders", Yousuf said current skipper Shahid Afridi had called him up and asked him to make himself available for the national team once again.

"Yes Afridi called me up and we spoke at length about the cricket scenario. I told him I took the decision to retire after seeking advice from my elders and I can only take back the retirement decision if my elders give me permission to do this," Yousuf said.

He said Afridi also knew who these "elders" were and should speak to them directly.

Sources said the circle of elders Yousuf was referring to included former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and some close associates in the religious circles from whom he sought guidance and accompanied on religious preaching tours regularly.

The video recordings of the inquiry committee proceedings of the Pakistan board into the Australian tour highlighted the key role that Inzamam still plays behind the scenes in influencing decisions in the national team.

A number of people at the hearings confirmed that it was at Inzamam's place that a meeting was organized by some six to seven players against former captain Younus Khan.

Afridi is keen to see Yousuf back in the team for the England tour after the selectors included banned players, Younus Khan and Shoaib Malik in a preliminary squad of 35 players for the Asia Cup and England tour on yesterday.

Yousuf was one of the seven players who were either banned or fined by the board on the recommendations of the inquiry committee in March.

Yousuf who was banned for an indefinite period announced his retirement after the ban was imposed. It is not the first time he has done this as he had taken a similar decision to retire after he was not selected for the 2007 World T20 Cup.

Chief selector, Mohsin Khan has said that until Yousuf takes back his retirement he can't be considered for the selection.