National T20 tournament: Yousuf makes way for Hafeez as Lahore Lions captain

LCCA chief refutes notion that PCB pressured Yousuf into relinquishing captaincy in favour of National T20 captain.

LAHORE: Veteran cricketer, Mohammad Yousuf has decided to stepped down as captain of Lahore Lions, in favour of Pakistan T-20 captain Mohammad Hafeez for the National T-20 tournament.

"Yousuf has showed a big gesture and stepped down as captain on the pretext that Hafeez is the Pakistan captain and is the right choice to lead Lahore Lions in the national T-20 tournament," said Lahore City Cricket Association president Khawaja Nadim Ahmed on Saturday.

Ahmed said Yousuf had held a meeting with Hafeez here he conveyed his feelings and decision to the national team captain, who in turn praised the veteran’s gesture.

"Hafeez did not initially agreed to it but Yousuf made him realise that it is better if Hafeez leads the side as he has the honour of being the national captain of Pakistan in one day and T-20 formats."

The LCCA chief though rejected the notion that Yousuf had withdrawn from captaincy due to pressure from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). "It has nothing to with PCB and this is the personal decision of Yousuf," he added.

Venue shift hailed

PCB's decision to shiftthe T-20 tournament to Lahore  owing to security situation in Karachi was hailed by the LCCA chief. "It is a very wise decision of Chairman, PCB to have the tournament in Lahore where adequate facilities are available at the three centres, Gadaffi stadium, LCCA and Bagh-e-Jinnah grounds, for holding the matches in a smooth manner," he said. "Lahore was to hold the event last year but it was shifted to Karachi at the last moment, owing to the outbreak of the dengue epidemic in the province. That was a precautionary step, and Lahore didn't protest."

However, Nadim hit out at the cries from Karachi over shifting the event. "No one city should have monopoly over hosting national or international cricket. Rather it should be evenly spread all over the country, with all major cricketing centres getting their due share. And it can be said without any fear of contradiction that Lahore is and has been a major cricketing centre for well over a century. People in this city, like everywhere else in the country, too are quite keen on cricket and deserve the opportunity to watch it from the stands."

The LCCA president pointed out that holding a national level tournament provides authorities and services in Lahore to refresh and improve on their organisational skills and become well versed in tackling with the security issues. "This is essential so that when international cricket comes back, Pakistan as a nation can host them seamlessly," concluded the LCCA president.