Younus Khan, Yousuf can't return till they apologise

Karachi:

Former captains Younus Khan and Muhammad Yousuf would not be taken back into the national team until they apologise to the Pakistan Cricket Board for their "recent actions and statements", the PCB has told the country's Sports Minister.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt has conveyed this to Federal minister for sports Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani at a meeting that was also attended by the board's legal advisor, Tafazzul Risvi and chief operating officer Wasim Bari.

The meeting was held on the directives of the National Assembly standing committee on sports in connection with the finalisation of the new constitution of the board that has become a bone of contention between Butt and the ministry of sports.

Butt's mood regarding the two senior players was clear when he came out of the meeting and spoke to the media stating that since Yousuf had himself taken the decision to retire, he would not be considered for national team.

He also ruled out an immediate return for Younus to the team stating he and his lawyer had given some inappropriate statements against the board.

That Butt is still in the good books of the government also became apparent when the federal minister said the ministry would not interfere in the matters of selection and captaincy in the board.

"It is not the domain of the ministry to interfere in such matters and we have never tried to enforce our will on the board in such matters which is their responsibility," Jakhrani said.

Jakhrani also made it clear that there was no serious dispute between the board and the ministry over the clause of the new constitution and the issue has been almost resolved.

Butt has objected to some clauses in the proposed constitution that gave the ministry the right to get involved in board matters.

Butt also told the media that he was hopeful, the new constitution which gave more powers to the Chairman would be finalised by August.

Incidentally, many critics and former players have raised concerns over the role of the minister given his willingness to tour abroad on board expenses.

Jakhrani is again scheduled to visit England for the Tests against Australia on expenses of the board which is also planning to send one or two members of the governing council to England.