Yousuf assures he will not skip matches in Ramazan
Mohammad Yousuf has assured the PCB of his availability in Ramazan for the tour of England.
Recalled batsman Mohammad Yousuf has assured the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of his availability in Ramazan for the tour of England that will see two Tests, both Twenty20s and three One-Day Internationals played in the holy month.
Yousuf, who joined the team in England yesterday, had previously showed his unavailability for cricket matches in Ramazan. The batsman converted to Islam from Christianity in 2005, and since then has spent most of his time in promulgation of the religion, when not in action on the field. He is one of the biggest critics of cricket tournaments in Ramazan and has claimed that his participation in any event in the holy month was impossible numerous times.
But after accepting a call to join the team in England, it seems that Yousuf has taken a U-turn in his stance taken in the past.
Meanwhile, a top PCB official claimed that the board had asked the former captain to guarantee that he would not skip matches during Ramazan.
“Yousuf has confirmed his availability for the team in Ramazan when he agreed to came out of retirement,” said the official. “We were aware that the best part of series against England is falling in Ramazan and there was no use of sending him if he skipped the matches during the holy month.”
The official, however, while defending Yousuf’s decision said it might have been taken in the best interest of team. “Everybody knows that the team is struggling in England may be that has prompted him to reverse his stance of not playing in Ramazan.”
Yousuf had also previously claimed that he was not at his best form during the month, and the PCB official admitted the board has taken a bet on the seasoned batsman.
“Yousuf has been out of action for a while and the board has already gambled by sending the batsman to play in tough conditions without looking into his fitness and form,” he said hoping the experience and an average of 70 in 12 Tests against England may prove to be beneficial for the team.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2010.
Yousuf, who joined the team in England yesterday, had previously showed his unavailability for cricket matches in Ramazan. The batsman converted to Islam from Christianity in 2005, and since then has spent most of his time in promulgation of the religion, when not in action on the field. He is one of the biggest critics of cricket tournaments in Ramazan and has claimed that his participation in any event in the holy month was impossible numerous times.
But after accepting a call to join the team in England, it seems that Yousuf has taken a U-turn in his stance taken in the past.
Meanwhile, a top PCB official claimed that the board had asked the former captain to guarantee that he would not skip matches during Ramazan.
“Yousuf has confirmed his availability for the team in Ramazan when he agreed to came out of retirement,” said the official. “We were aware that the best part of series against England is falling in Ramazan and there was no use of sending him if he skipped the matches during the holy month.”
The official, however, while defending Yousuf’s decision said it might have been taken in the best interest of team. “Everybody knows that the team is struggling in England may be that has prompted him to reverse his stance of not playing in Ramazan.”
Yousuf had also previously claimed that he was not at his best form during the month, and the PCB official admitted the board has taken a bet on the seasoned batsman.
“Yousuf has been out of action for a while and the board has already gambled by sending the batsman to play in tough conditions without looking into his fitness and form,” he said hoping the experience and an average of 70 in 12 Tests against England may prove to be beneficial for the team.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2010.