Sports

Waqar Younis deems Younus Khan's comments of mistreatment 'unfair'

Head coach denies they would have drop the veteran or had put pressure on him

Sports Desk July 27, 2015

Waqar said if need come Younus will be recalled to the ODIs. PHOTOS: AFP

Head coach of Pakistan, Waqar Younis has conveyed his disappointment at the statements made earlier this week by veteran batsman Younus Khan about the national team management.

"By saying that he would have been dropped from the Test side if he had not got that hundred in the 3rd Test against Sri Lanka, Younus has not been fair," Waqar told the Express newspaper from Colombo.

"We had no intention to drop Younus and it is not correct to say we put pressure on him.”

The former Pakistan captain also dismissed Younus’s complaints about not being supported by Test captain Misbahul Haq.

"That is not correct Younus is a legend in Pakistan cricket with his performances," Waqar added.

Read: Younus must be heard on his desire to play ODIs, says Javed Miandad

Younus Khan, who scored a match winning 177 runs in a Test match against Sri Lanka, recently gave an interview on a television channel in which he shared his dissatisfaction with the manner in which he’s being treated by the team management in general and by the head coach and the Test captain in particular.

"I don't know if I had not scored those 177 runs in the fourth innings of the third Test in Sri Lanka, what would have happened. Most probably, I would have been dropped. But this is not the way to treat senior players they need to be given confidence and I have always played for and give my best for Pakistan," Younus said.

Read: Younus Khan expresses displeasure with Waqar Younis, Misbahul Haq

Younus, who has participated in 101 Tests and 264 ODIs for Pakistan, revealed in the interview that he was unhappy about his removal from the ODI team.

"Why can't I play ODI cricket? What is wrong with me? Am I not fit or good enough? If I had been given a chance in the recent home series against Zimbabwe I would definitely have got runs," Younus had questioned.

Waqar replied to the questions by saying Younus will be called back to the ODI team if his presence was deemed necessary.

“As far as his ambition to play one-day cricket is concerned if the need arises he will play," Waqar defended.

Waqar Younis said that as head coach, he had always tried to be supportive of the veteran cricketer who had proved his value time and time again on the field.

Former right-arm quickey added that space was made for younger, more aggressive players to come in and perform, however, the selection of Younus for ODIs has not been ruled out as a possibility, contrary to what Younus may believe.

Read: Younus Khan wants to lead Pakistan one last time

Pakistan Cricket Board executive committee head Najam Sethi has said the board will not take any disciplinary action against the senior cricketer as they did not to create any controversies. The board wants to be ‘mature’ about it and move on.

COMMENTS (7)

Pak 124 | 8 years ago | Reply Its good that younis is not in the odi team. He's a huge burden on us and he should check his 2015 wc stats before even talking about getting a chance in odi. He's only suitable for tests. Odi is not his game already there are young talented batsman in the odi team, it will be better if no further changes are made in the odi batting department, while some are needed in the bowling department. Changes in the team is the reason why pak hasn't been succesful in recent years, it will be good if the team is the same. Players should get a chance to know each other well. First good decision by waqar younis

Pak123 | 8 years ago | Reply Its good that younis is not in the odi team. He's a huge burden on us and he should check his 2015 wc stats before even talking about getting a chance in odi. He's only suitable for tests. Odi is not his game already there are young talented batsman in the odi team, it will be better if no further changes are made in the odi batting department, while some are needed in the bowling department. Changes in the team is the reason why pak hasn't been succesful in recent years, it will be good if the team is the same. Players should get a chance to know each other well.