Leicestershire say no to Yousuf
County fail to agree terms with former Pakistan captain.
Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf will be able to fast in Ramazan without interruption after Leicestershire decided against signing the batsman for their county championship.
The English county had extended a 16-match contract to Yousuf, 37, for the entire season but were forced to re-evaluate their offer when the latter demanded a month-long break. Had the demand been met, Yousuf would have missed four matches, a condition not taken well by Leicestershire.
“We’ve been in talks with Yousuf for several weeks,” Leicestershire Chief Executive Mike Siddall told the Leicester Mercury. “Unfortunately, a problem arose this week which, between us, we could not solve. We are disappointed and are now looking at other options.”
This is not the first time Yousuf has missed out on cricket due to religious obligations. Warwickshire also failed to convince the batsman to play for them in the second-half of last season with his desire to skip cricket in Ramazan being a stumbling block.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2012.