Yousuf should not retire: Afridi

Karachi:

Pakistan twenty20 skipper Shahid Afridi has called on senior batsman Muhammad Yousuf to continue his career and not retire from international cricket.

"I think Yousuf is taking an emotional decision, but I think he must reconsider his decision because he still has a lot to give to Pakistan cricket," Afridi said, when asked for his reaction on Yousuf's decision to retire on Monday.

"Yousuf I think has been affected by the recent happenings and is upset with the ban on him, but he is a senior player and he must handle the situation. He must not take an emotional decision," Afridi said.

Afridi, who has been named captain for the T20 World Cup, said that Yousuf still had a lot to give to the team particularly in Test cricket.

"We have a lot of Test matches coming up in next 10 to 12 months and we need his experience against the top teams like Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand," he added.

But former captains Inzamam-ul-Haq and Moin Khan and the national team coach Waqar Younis all refused to comment on Yousuf's impending retirement.

"What can I say at this stage when he has not retired as yet. It would be premature to say anything let us wait and see what happens," Inzamam said.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt said if Yousuf decides to retire it would be his own decision and the board would make no comments at this stage.

"I don't think he has announced his retirement as yet," Butt remarked.