Yousuf's retirement a hasty decision: Mohsin Khan

Karachi:

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf's decision to quit international cricket was a hasty one since he had another three years' cricket left in him, according to chief selector Mohsin Khan.

Mohsin said as a Pakistani he was sad that Yousuf had decided to retire but this was a decision taken by the senior batsman himself and no one could do anything about it.

"What can the Pakistan cricket Board do about it? It is his own decision," Mohsin said.

"But certainly I felt he had at least three years of cricket left in him and we wanted him to play for Pakistan soon," he said.

Yousuf announced his retirement at a press conference in Karachi on Monday saying that he was disheartened by the board's treatment and also because the board had accused him of being a disruptive influence on the team.

Yousuf's retirement came at a time when the board has imposed an indefinite ban on him on the recommendations of a inquiry committee that looked into reports of infighting on the recent tour of Australia.

Mohsin said the board had given the players the right to appeal against their bans and Yousuf should have used it.

"He has taken a hasty decision, one he should have avoided for the sake of Pakistan cricket. He should have been more patient," Mohsin said.

Meanwhile, former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said Yousuf's retirement decision didn't come as a surprise.

"They have punished the players but there is total contradiction in the reasons being given for banning Yousuf or Younus and this is not the way seniors should be treated," he said.

Inzamam felt that Yousuf would not change his decision to retire this time as he was hurt by the board's attitude.

Former captain Javed Miandad said he couldn't understand why Yousuf had to retire.

"What purpose is this going to serve if he is innocent of all charges he should appeal and clear his name?" he said.

Former captain Zaheer Abbas said Yousuf's retirement would no doubt leave a big void in the Pakistan team as he was a superb batsman and one of the finest produced by Pakistan.

"But the fact is that players come and go and their places are taken by others. I thing he has taken a decision after giving it much thought and we must respect it," he said.

Former captain and ex-chief selector Aamir Sohail said he didn't agree with Yousuf's decision.

"I would have stayed and fought and appealed against the ban. If the board has wronged him he must fight and not go out like this, his loss is a big setback for Pakistan cricket," Sohail said.