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Yousuf will return if PCB calls with respect
Mohd Yousuf is ready to come out of retirement and bolster Pakistan team's campaign in England provided he is called back with "respect" by the PCB.
Karachi:
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf is ready to come out of retirement and bolster Pakistan cricket team's floundering campaign in the ongoing tour of England provided he is called back with "respect" by the PCB.
The 35-year-old batsman, who retired from international cricket after being handed an indefinite ban for indiscipline, has re-ignited speculation of a possible comeback.
"If the team doesn't need me I stand retired. But if I'm needed, I am ready and available to serve my country," Yousuf was quoted as saying by 'The Express Tribune' here.
Pakistan were handed a 150-run thrashing by Australia in the opening Test, following which Shahid Afridi didn't just give up the captaincy of the side but also announced his retirement from Test cricket.
Salman Butt has been appointed captain of the side after the sudden crisis of leadership but the there is a growing clamour for the inclusion of Yousuf and another former captain Younus Khan in the side.
"I am available any time for my national team. If PCB invites me with respect I will definitely go and join the team," said Yousuf.
Asked if he would be willing to play under the much junior Butt, Yousuf said, "I can play under any captain and have never felt degraded playing under anyone."
"It's a PCB decision and everybody should respect it", he said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has reacted positively to Yousuf's statement but insisted that any decision on selection would not be taken in a hurry.
"It is good that Yousuf is ready to play but we cannot make an instant decision about it and are already on a discussion in this matter," said PCB chairman Ijaz Butt.
"It is not possible to include Yousuf for the last Test against Australia since there is little time left but his inclusion for series against England is a possibility", he said.
Another PCB official said Yousuf has not even appealed against the idefinite ban on him and he would be considered only after the sanction against him is revoked.
"Yousuf is very egoistic and it is not very easy for the PCB chairman to reach a consensus with him", said a PCB official.
"Yousuf has said that he will return when the PCB invites him but has not informed if he is filing an appeal against his ban which is a must," he added.
The 35-year-old batsman, who retired from international cricket after being handed an indefinite ban for indiscipline, has re-ignited speculation of a possible comeback.
"If the team doesn't need me I stand retired. But if I'm needed, I am ready and available to serve my country," Yousuf was quoted as saying by 'The Express Tribune' here.
Pakistan were handed a 150-run thrashing by Australia in the opening Test, following which Shahid Afridi didn't just give up the captaincy of the side but also announced his retirement from Test cricket.
Salman Butt has been appointed captain of the side after the sudden crisis of leadership but the there is a growing clamour for the inclusion of Yousuf and another former captain Younus Khan in the side.
"I am available any time for my national team. If PCB invites me with respect I will definitely go and join the team," said Yousuf.
Asked if he would be willing to play under the much junior Butt, Yousuf said, "I can play under any captain and have never felt degraded playing under anyone."
"It's a PCB decision and everybody should respect it", he said.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has reacted positively to Yousuf's statement but insisted that any decision on selection would not be taken in a hurry.
"It is good that Yousuf is ready to play but we cannot make an instant decision about it and are already on a discussion in this matter," said PCB chairman Ijaz Butt.
"It is not possible to include Yousuf for the last Test against Australia since there is little time left but his inclusion for series against England is a possibility", he said.
Another PCB official said Yousuf has not even appealed against the idefinite ban on him and he would be considered only after the sanction against him is revoked.
"Yousuf is very egoistic and it is not very easy for the PCB chairman to reach a consensus with him", said a PCB official.
"Yousuf has said that he will return when the PCB invites him but has not informed if he is filing an appeal against his ban which is a must," he added.
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