Yousuf’s still a wanted man
Reports surfaced last week that Yousuf had announced his retirement from all formats – and not for the first time – following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) snub to him when handing out the central contracts for the second half of the year. However, the former batsman is yet to confirm his latest retirement in public as he is currently in England playing for Smethwick cricket club.
Despite the report, the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) President Khawaja Nadeem – who has close relations with the batsman – ruled out the news citing it mere speculation.
“We’ve already offered him a place in the regional squad for the upcoming season,” Nadeem told The Express Tribune. “He’s a great player and should be treated with utmost respect and honour. I don’t know what future the PCB has decided for him but I can confirm that he hasn’t retired.”
The 36-year-old, a veteran of 90 Tests and 288 One-Day Internationals, last played for Pakistan in 2010 against South Africa, returning home midway due to fitness issues.
“I think there’s a vast communication gap between Yousuf and the PCB which needs to be sorted out as soon as possible. He still has a year of cricket left in him and I think his services for Pakistan cricket are exceptional and Pakistan should utilise whatever is left of him.”
Meanwhile, The PCB confirmed to The Express Tribune that the batsman has neither shared his retirement decision with the board nor has he shown availability.
Domestic cricket awating Yousuf
Yousuf, who turns 37 this month, scored 109, 68 and 72 in his last three innings for Warwickshire in the English county championship in May. Last year he left Wapda and joined Lahore after a fallout with teammate Rana Navedul Hasan. However, Wapda’s head of sports Naveed Akram Cheema still remains optimistic about Yousuf’s return to the department side.
“He resigned from the side last year,” said Cheema. “The door was never shut on him. He’s a wonderful player and everyone wants him to play for them. So whenever he wants to return, the department will welcome him.”
On the contrary, another departmental side ZTBL is very keen to recruit Yousuf for the upcoming season.
“The bank intended to hire him but failed to establish any contact with him,” said ZTBL Manager Sports Masood Anwar. “He’s one of the finest batsmen in the country and a fabulous player to have in the squad. I learnt about his retirement but I’m sure it’s just speculation as he never appeared before the media or conveyed this to anyone else.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2011.
COMMENTS (18)
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@AN: Please show some evidence to support your point of view. I think that already enough evidence has been provided in previous replys that clearly shows that Yousuf IS STILL a great player.
Extraordinary batsmen! One of the best players in the world after he converted to Islam! May God bless him! :D
Yousaf was a great player. Now he is past his prime. I don't think that he is still useful, however, PCB can try him in tests.
As far as his talent is concerned we all know how great he is, infact it is his greatness that is going to earn him pride of performance award on coming 23rd march. what else you expect? he broke record of most runs in a calender year which neither of your tendulkar or lara could even do. and we know his form for lats three games in War as author also mentioned.. what else?
Why the hell we always tie up everything with religion? I am damn disappointed by comments of koks and Adnan, If muslims like you are going to say something like this how can you expect others to keep quiet? Isn't afridi still playing even he is a spreader too.. don't mess up religion with the work. we all know the importance of religion. did u ever see yousuf go out to pray while he is batting or in field? outside the field he is a Muslim and deserves all the right to perform his religious duties. And if you think with cold mind it was his turning to Islam that earned him this respect.. he broke the records and played more sensibly than before.
Give yourself some break. don't mess up everything with religion. Stop speaking like westerns.
@Mubashir Mahmood: The fact that he played his recent county tests so well shows he is fit for test cricket. He also has the title of scoring more runs in a calander year under his belt. Whilst in the last domestic T20 tournament he had an average strike rate of about 140 and was a major contributor in the Lahore side - not only as a run scorer but also as a captain.This shows he's also fit for this format. I beleive he still has lots of good cricket left in him and PCB should not allow him to retire from any format of the game but instead should take advantage from his experience and skill.
@Sheheryar u r comparing country cricket with International cricket.. he is an class act but it would have been better for him also if he would have retired from t20 and ODIs
@Mubashir
If he does not have any fitness, how on earth does he managed to scored 108, 68 and 72 in the last three county outings? "RESPECT, please."
Amongst Pakistani batsmen, MoYo is definitely a breed apart.
Only in Pakistan a player who broke Vivs record is snubbed. PCB is a true reflection of our inept and corrupt govt.
Never was a fan.. never will be
best batsman and i think that his tabligh or religious activities were not an obsticle for his beautiful game,instead the pcb management was.
i still miss his cover drive...........Lovely beautiful playing technique.Most elegant batsman i have ever seen
He is still agreat player as shown his last performance. However it is our misfortune that we can not provide proper Teachings and Behavior guidance to our Bosses as well as players. The honest and loyal players are always punished by some secret hands. I think these secret hands always try to demotivate Nation in every field of life. I think Yousaf, Younas and Affridy and so on are pushed to leave the side.
yousuf has no fitness now... if he would have only played test matches in the last two years than it was good for pakistan..
@mohammed: I agree with you. He was the best ever batsman in Pakistan. I only wished and I have written it on several forums that Pakistan utilizes him as a batsman and playing batting coach. Hiring a batting coach (even an ex-star) is not as useful as MY, who can actually play and train the youngs by practical example. People can recall that Asad Shafiq played well with MY. However, it is Pakistan and MY may not have any pull? I did see that the President has awarded him with a high honor on Independence Day. Regards, Mirza
I don't agree with the author that he's a utility player. The team only can utilize his services as a Prayer Leader while praying with congregation.
Mohammad Yousuf is great player and he is still fit to play cricket for pakistan but for unknown reason he is not part of the national team. There r many rumors that he is not selected in the team because he is now more religious man. but he still have hunger for runs. You can compare him with any world class batsman. his everge show his greatness and superb form. Now pakistani batting line is very weak , we have no batsman who can stay at wicket for long time. yousuf have great quality to stay at wicket in crucial time and make runs in difficult situation with very ease.he can play all kind of bowlers with bravery.he should be included in the pakistani team. it is unfortunate that we are not giving our great players their due respect. In pakistan history there is no exapmple for farewel test for retiering palyer. every team gave farewel teast to their players but we ignored them.this attitude should be changed.
**Yusuf was a wonderful player.His batting techniques were exceptional. It is crying shame now that his attitude has let him down.In my view, following are the reasons:
First,his moribund association with players like Inzamam,who forgets that a national cricketer has his first obligation to his country.His Tablig is his cricket.Yusuf fell in his spell and earned thus his ultimate ruination.
Second,he is a sloppy fielder and thinks that bowling would ruin the crease of his pants.Easily forgetting that when a player's value goes down in one area his usefulness in others may save his place in the team.Further more, catches win matches and a standby bowler is quite handy in emergencies. So -good bye - once a prince of the game and now a pauper in the field.**