Yousuf lambasts PSL

Former Pakistan captain believes no cricketing gains should be expected from the tournament

KARACHI: Former Pakistan Test captain and prolific middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf has lambasted the Pakistan Super League (PSL) organisers and franchises for ignoring batting great Younus Khan from the opening edition of the T20 league.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the 90-Test match veteran claimed that there were no gains to be made from the event except financial.

A often controversial and outspoken TV expert minced no words in stating that players with solid technique and temperament were deliberately snubbed by team owners.

“By ignoring Younus a strong message has been sent to upcoming players that their performance in the longer formats doesn’t matter much," said Mohammad Yousuf.



"Players with solid records have been left out; Asad Shafiq with eight Test centuries already had to settle for a measly $25,000 contract.

"Azhar Ali, one of our best Test and ODI talents barely made the cut for Lahore too.”

Citing the example of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Yousuf observed that players like Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar who were all excluded from the Indian T20 team handled key leadership and iconic roles for their respective franchises in the initial few years of the tournament and the PCB and PSL team failed to give their stars their due.

Yousuf also feels that only a handful of players in the Emerging category are going to earn some decent money while a massive majority of first-class cricketers in the country continue to suffer due to lack of financial security in the domestic circuit.



“Each team has picked one or two young players, they might make some money but most of the players continue to suffer. I strongly feel that there are limited gains from the PSL and that too for a select group only.”

Yousuf also expressed his disappointment at the selection of the coaching staff from various PSL franchises who he feels made a big mistake by ignoring a player of Inzamamul Haq’s stature in their respective roasters.

‘Amir, Salman and Asif deserve to be given a second chance’

Yousuf once again repeated his stance on the spot-fixing scandal players who are making a return to Pakistan cricket. He feels that all three players — Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif — have served out their sentences and they should be brought back in the fray.



“I don’t understand why there is a big deal being made out of Amir’s comeback. He has served his punishment; the ICC has cleared him too.

He’s a valuable asset for Pakistan cricket and we have seen his utility in his recent stints. Salman and Asif too have served out their punishments and now deserve to be given a chance whenever they make a claim for selection at the highest level.”

Yousuf feels that all three can serve Pakistan cricket with their talent and ability but reserved special praise for Amir on his superb comeback after more than four years in the wilderness.