KARACHI: Former Pakistan Captain and ace Test batsman Mohammad Yousuf was upset for not getting permission to feature in the ongoing President's Cricket Trophy.
Yousuf, a veteran of 90 Test matches, has expressed his desire to play, however, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to allow him.
"On one hand, the PCB tells me to prove my form and fitness in the domestic circuit, however on the other hand they do not allow me to do so," he told a private television channel Wednesday night.
"Since 2010 I have not been representing any domestic team, this time around the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) offered me a slot which I readily accepted," he said.
The 38-year-old was not included in the names provided to the PCB by all the departments before the President's Cup commenced.
As per the rules, a player not appearing in a list cannot be included in any team.
Yousuf's case required changes in the rules hence it needed clearance first from the Cricket Committee and then from the Executive Coordination Committee of the PCB.
Former captain and the coach of the PQA, Rashid Latif expressed his disappointment with the PCB's decision, adding that by not even replying to the formal request made to the Director General Javed Miandad, the PCB had rubbed the legendary batsman the wrong way.
"I sent a letter to Miandad on October 30, and in any event, the PCB should have at least replied. This is not the way to treat a legendary player like Mohammad Yousuf."
"They have to say Yes or No, but their silence was extremely disappointing for me. PCB's behaviour with a player like Yousuf is deplorable," he protested.
Another former Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi has also shown interest to return to domestic cricket and represent Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) in a bid to regain his batting form.
Afridi has not played test cricket after retiring from the format in 2010.
Cricket Consultant HBL and former international player Abdul Raqueeb said on Thursday that they have submitted a request to PCB to allow Afridi to take part in the President's Trophy.
"We are waiting for the permission from the PCB domestic incharge Javed Miandad," he added.
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Mohammad Yousuf is wonderful player of the world. His request should take seriously by PCB to give him a chance to play for domestic cricket. He has lot of potential to prove himself. If PCB gives him to chance I hope he will prove himself. If he got a chance to play for Pakistan side the more crowed will join to see to matches. He is a class player of the Pakistan. Earlier I expressed that Hashim Amla and Mohammad Yousuf are both technically very sound batsman. Hope my dreams come true.
Yousuf saab, you should've thought it out before your shenanigans with ICL. God blessed you with such a marvelous 2006, and look what you did to your career in 2007. You were not a fit for the first T20 WC, and for a few additional bucks you joined ICL. The PCB lured you back with one crore, and promised to fight your case, but you instead burped that amount, and went to ICL again in 2008, and have been in and out since then. What sort of Tableegh was it, that could not teach you to be content with what you have? Think of your contemporaries Kallis, Dravid, and Ponting and then see how your big mouth and hot head has cost you over the last four years. Think over it, and let the young guns play it out for Pakistan. p/s: Thank you for your service to the Pakistan cricket, you have been a legend. But your time has passed.
@sensible: Who told you pcb has allowed Afridi to play Domestic 4 day matches? He cant participate
Accept it your days are over Drama Queen. Go pack your bags and pick a LOTA and go to tableegh. thank you for your services.
Then how come Afridi allowed to play for HBL since his name was also not in the initial list of players! pure hypocrisy