PCB rules out immediate Younus return

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt has ruled out an immediate return of former captain Younus Khan to the national team following a war of words between the board and Younus’ lawyer.

Butt said Younus and his lawyer Ahmed Qayyum had broken players’ rules in a subsequent written appeal.

“Younus and his lawyer have given inappropriate statements,” said Butt. “There’s a players’ code of conduct in place and we will not spare anyone who violates the code.”

Meanwhile, Younus made it quite clear that he had no ongoing arguments with the PCB.

“I’m available to play for Pakistan whenever required. I have no fight with the PCB nor can I think of it.” Younus has not played a Test match since the Lahore Test against Sri Lanka in March last year, a match cut short by terrorist attacks on the visiting team bus.

Meanwhile, the Federal Sports Ministry and the PCB have agreed to amend 80 per cent clauses of the PCB constitution after a lengthy review that lasted six months.

“There were a total 47 clauses out of which the majority has been finalised and rest of them will be confirmed in the next meeting next month.” said Sports Minister Ijaz Hussain Jhakrani following his meeting with Butt.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2010.