Salman, Waqar opposed Yousuf’s recall
Contradictions, conflicts and appal greeted the SOS sent out by the PCB on Mohammad Yousuf's recall.
NOTTINGHAM:
Contradictions, conflicts and appal greeted the SOS sent out by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), earning Mohammad Yousuf a recall to the national side, following the 354-run humiliation at Trent Bridge and barely hours after captain Salman Butt ruled out the return of seniors to the squad.
While Salman, and team coach Waqar Younis previously, had remained adamant not to upset the balance of the side, and the promotion of youth, the PCB decided to hand a recall to Yousuf who retired earlier this year after the board placed an indefinite ban on him.
Yousuf, who had twice turned his back on Pakistan, has not played competitive cricket since the tour of Australia but, despite a proven record in England, his return following his acrimonious fall-out with his teammates, especially former captain Shoaib Malik, is widely seen to have a damaging effect on the tour.
Earlier, Salman and Waqar had effectively shut the door for the return of Yousuf and Younus Khan despite the loss and backed the under-performing youngsters and placing confidence in their ability.
“How many wins did Pakistan have with the people who were previously playing,” said Salman. “Had we been winning, the inclusion of youngsters would then be a mistake but the results were the same. These guys pulled off a victory after 15 years [against Australia]. These youngsters are the guys for the future.”
While team manager Yawar Saeed confirmed the decision was made following a team management meeting that took place in Nottingham after the match, it is believed that the coach, captain and senior players were against Yousuf’s return and the decision was forced upon by the chairman. Interestingly, Saeed was also part of the inquiry committee that advised the board not to consider Yousuf for national selection following his role in the ‘infighting’ that took place during last year.
“Yousuf has learnt his lesson and despite the past record, the players won’t be fighting like kids anymore,” Saeed told The Express Tribune. “We decided to bring him back for the sake of the team.”
Despite Pakistan’s culpable batting performance, Waqar had also remained adamant, and optimistic, that investment in youth, and not going back to the seniors, was the way forward for Pakistan cricket.
“It might take a couple of losses but this unit looks really good to me and I’m certain that the youngsters are good enough and just need a bit of time to perform,” said Waqar.
The recall is also seen as a step backward as the PCB had opted to start afresh and invest in the future. Despite the poor performance shown by the youngsters on the tour, it was believed, and endorsed by Salman, that the management will allow Azhar Ali and Umar Amin a long run on the tour as success may not always arrive immediately - it took Yousuf 11 innings to score his first century - in Lahore - and another 23 innings to score his next.
Even if Yousuf is met with success on the tour, his recall is already a failure for Pakistan cricket.
Pakistan captain, Salman Butt
“How many wins did Pakistan have with the people who were previously playing. The youngsters pulled off a victory after 15 years and they are the guys for the future.”
Pakistan coach, Waqar Younis
“It might take a couple of losses but this unit looks really good to me and I’m certain that the youngsters in the team are good enough and just need a bit of time to perform.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2010.
Contradictions, conflicts and appal greeted the SOS sent out by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), earning Mohammad Yousuf a recall to the national side, following the 354-run humiliation at Trent Bridge and barely hours after captain Salman Butt ruled out the return of seniors to the squad.
While Salman, and team coach Waqar Younis previously, had remained adamant not to upset the balance of the side, and the promotion of youth, the PCB decided to hand a recall to Yousuf who retired earlier this year after the board placed an indefinite ban on him.
Yousuf, who had twice turned his back on Pakistan, has not played competitive cricket since the tour of Australia but, despite a proven record in England, his return following his acrimonious fall-out with his teammates, especially former captain Shoaib Malik, is widely seen to have a damaging effect on the tour.
Earlier, Salman and Waqar had effectively shut the door for the return of Yousuf and Younus Khan despite the loss and backed the under-performing youngsters and placing confidence in their ability.
“How many wins did Pakistan have with the people who were previously playing,” said Salman. “Had we been winning, the inclusion of youngsters would then be a mistake but the results were the same. These guys pulled off a victory after 15 years [against Australia]. These youngsters are the guys for the future.”
While team manager Yawar Saeed confirmed the decision was made following a team management meeting that took place in Nottingham after the match, it is believed that the coach, captain and senior players were against Yousuf’s return and the decision was forced upon by the chairman. Interestingly, Saeed was also part of the inquiry committee that advised the board not to consider Yousuf for national selection following his role in the ‘infighting’ that took place during last year.
“Yousuf has learnt his lesson and despite the past record, the players won’t be fighting like kids anymore,” Saeed told The Express Tribune. “We decided to bring him back for the sake of the team.”
Despite Pakistan’s culpable batting performance, Waqar had also remained adamant, and optimistic, that investment in youth, and not going back to the seniors, was the way forward for Pakistan cricket.
“It might take a couple of losses but this unit looks really good to me and I’m certain that the youngsters are good enough and just need a bit of time to perform,” said Waqar.
The recall is also seen as a step backward as the PCB had opted to start afresh and invest in the future. Despite the poor performance shown by the youngsters on the tour, it was believed, and endorsed by Salman, that the management will allow Azhar Ali and Umar Amin a long run on the tour as success may not always arrive immediately - it took Yousuf 11 innings to score his first century - in Lahore - and another 23 innings to score his next.
Even if Yousuf is met with success on the tour, his recall is already a failure for Pakistan cricket.
Pakistan captain, Salman Butt
“How many wins did Pakistan have with the people who were previously playing. The youngsters pulled off a victory after 15 years and they are the guys for the future.”
Pakistan coach, Waqar Younis
“It might take a couple of losses but this unit looks really good to me and I’m certain that the youngsters in the team are good enough and just need a bit of time to perform.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2010.