Yousuf desperate to make national comeback

Veteran wants to feature in President’s Trophy; PCB says batsman needs to wait.


Nabeel Hashmi October 23, 2012

KARACHI:


Desperate to make a return to the national team, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf said he is ready to feature in first-class cricket.


Yousuf, who made his last international appearance in November 2010 in a One-Day International against South Africa, was involved in a training session with national team head coach Dav Whatmore at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore earlier this year.

However, he was clearly told by the selection committee that he would need to show his form in domestic cricket in order to be considered for the national team.

There were reports that UBL captain Shabbir Ahmed had approached Yousuf to feature for the side in the ongoing President’s Trophy but it failed to materialise.

But now Yousuf, who has for long been criticised for his poor fitness, has planned on featuring in the domestic tournament.

“I’ll be definitely playing in the President’s Trophy after Eid,” Yousuf told The Express Tribune. “But I’m yet to decide for which departmental team. For the time being, I’m working hard at the NCA to keep myself in good shape so that when I go out there I give my best to ensure a quick comeback to national ranks.”

A veteran of 90 Tests, 288 ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals, also felt that age was not an obstacle in his way of making a comeback, while admitting that it would be hard to return after a long break. “For now, I’m concentrating on doing well in domestic cricket in order to impress the selectors. As far as doing well in international cricket in concerned, only time would tell.”

Yousuf not eligible for President’s Trophy: PCB

However, it seems like Yousuf would probably need to wait a little longer to impress selectors, after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the former captain is not eligible to turn up in the ongoing President’s Trophy.

A PCB official said that since Yousuf’s name was not included the 20-player list sent by the departments, he cannot feature in the ongoing tournament. He added that the only way Yousuf could be included was if a player was going on national duty which will not be the case after Eid.

“He would have to wait for a regional first-class tournament or T20 event if he desires to play in domestic matches,” said the official.

Shoaib’s ton rescues PIA

Seasoned-batsman Shoaib Khan scored a superb 121 to help PIA snatch a first-innings lead against NBP on day three of their President’s Trophy match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

PIA were bowled out for 341 in reply to NBP’s 323 as Najaf Shah and Shoaib added valuable runs to gain the lead. In reply, NBP were 146 for two with an overall lead of 128 runs going into the last day. Bilal Munir was unbeaten on 63, while Umair Khan was not out on 53.

Elsewhere, Ahmed Shahzad claimed a four-wicket haul to help HBL bowl out SBP for just 198 in reply to HBL’s 327 at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. HBL gained an overall lead of 175 at stumps.

In another match, UBL were in trouble against KRL as they were 103 for seven in second-innings with a meagre lead of 132.

Haris Sohail remained unbeaten on 113 as ZTBL conceded a nine-run first-innings lead against Wapda.

Meanwhile, Azam Hussain finished with 10 wickets in the match, giving PQA a glimmer of hope against SNGPL. Needing 248 to win, PQA were 64 for two.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24th, 2012.

COMMENTS (13)

Adnan Siddiqi | 11 years ago | Reply

He can now safely be classified as "Has Been." He was a champion batsman not too long ago but lack of form, fitness and commitment would definitely feature as major impediments in his path towards a recall. I agree with rest of the posters that its high time to move on and heavily invest in the likes of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq. With the pending sign-off on the career of Younis Khan, our team definitely needs another budding solid bat with a steely temperament and unfortunately Umar Akmal definitely ain't cut out for it.

hardliner | 11 years ago | Reply

Poor guy, Yusuf, should have been given a place in Pakistan team. After all, he has even changed his religion for pak captaincy.

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