Yousuf's ODI future hinges on CT performance: Former captains

Karachi:

Former Pakistan captains Rameez Raja and Aamer Sohail feel senior batsman Muhammad Yousuf's one-day future is at stake in the ongoing Champions Trophy.

"This tournament is a real challenge for Yousuf because despite his greatness as a batsman he has play for his place in the one-day team in this event," Rameez said.

The former openers pointed out that Yousuf was already not a member of Pakistan's Twenty20 squad and there were questions over his place in the one-day team as well.

"At times I tend to think that the amount of potential Yousuf has he has not really fulfilled that on a consistent level despite his fantastic record. There is no doubt he is a great batsman but the Champions Trophy is a new frontier for him it is a big tournament and it is against top teams," Rameez said.

Aamer Sohail pointed out that there were some good young players coming through and gave the example of Umar Akmal. "Umar Akmal has come to international cricket with a bang and he is challenging Yousuf for a spot in the one-day team. I just feel Yousuf has a lot to prove in this tournament," he said.

Yousuf, who celebrated his 35th birthday last month, has played 82 tests and 272 one-day internationals and remains Pakistan s most prolific batsman after Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq.