Younis Khan's ODI Retirement Leaves Pakistan Cricket Board Perplexed

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan has expressed disappointment at the decision of senior batsman Younis Khan announcing his retirement from One-day Internationals just before the start of the first match against England. (Younis Khan Announces Retirement From One-day Internationals)

"I am disappointed at not only his decision to retire from ODIs but also the timing of his decision," Shaharyar said.

He said it was disappointing that Younis had decided to call it a day from ODIs although he was selected for the entire four-match series against England. (Younis Khan Becomes First Pakistan Batsman to Reach 9000 Test Runs)

"Younis has been doing well and that is why the selectors felt he should be played again in the one-day matches. For me it is surprising he announced his retirement today," he said.

Shaharyar said nonetheless the board would give Younis a befitting farewell as he had retired from ODIs.

Chief selector Haroon Rasheed was also perplexed by the sudden announcement from Younis.

"When I went to Sharjah to meet with the team management and I also talked to Younis, he gave me no indication he was planning to retire from ODIs after the first match of the series," Haroon said.

The national selectors had in a surprise move recalled Younis for the four ODIs against England after ignoring him for this format since the World Cup early this year in Australia and New Zealand.

Since March 2013 when he played in South Africa, Younis was picked for only 11 ODIs by the selectors putting a big question mark on his future in the 50-over format.

"We picked him keeping in mind that we needed an experienced batsman in the middle order to stabilise the batting. We picked him keeping in mind our future assignments. He never discussed this retirement thing with us," Haroon said.

The chief selector said that Younis's retirement would not hit the team as they had already announced a 16-member squad.

"The team will remain balanced but at no stage did Younis convey any desire to us he wanted to retire," he added.

Former opener and ex-coach Mohsin Khan however smells something fishy in the whole affair.

"It makes no sense that after being picked for the full series in the one-day squad after such a big gap he should decide to retire after playing the first match. Definitely I think something has happened in the last 48 or 24 hours to have upset Younis who is very sensitive and a self-respecting individual," Mohsin said on Geo Super channel.

"I think it is wrong the way they have treated and shunted a senior player like Younis. Something has happened some message has been conveyed to him by the team management in the last 48 or 24 hours to have forced him to take this step," Mohsin who has also served as chief selector said.

He pointed out that the media had been reporting that head coach Waqar Younis didn't want Younis in the ODI squad.

"I think the job of the captain, manager and coach is to not only motivate the players but also make them feel comfortable and wanted. I think in Younis's case this didn't happen and no one tried to speak to him to find out his feelings," Mohsin added.