Younus ready to serve with same 'energy and passion'

Former captain 'available' for Pakistan ahead of South Africa series.

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Younus Khan has confirmed his availability for the series against South Africa adding that he was ready to represent his country whenever needed.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) placed an indefinite ban on the former captain but, despite having the ban lifted by the PCB and the one-man tribunal, Younus remains out of favour with the board.

"I'm available for the national team whenever required and will play with the same energy and passion if given the chance," said Younus in a television show before adding that he was carrying on with his normal training despite being snubbed by the PCB. "I'm spending time at the training ground where I practice to keep myself fit. I'll also play for my team in the domestic season starting soon to in order to gain match form."

The former captain also felt that it was time to run cricket matters properly and warned that the game could suffer like other sports if corrective measures were not taken soon.

"Pakistan has enormous talent but if things are not sorted out soon, cricket could suffer like hockey and squash. Look at [Mohammad] Amir who came into the sport without a strong background but still stunned the cricketing world with his performance. We have no dearth of talent and our future is bright. We just need to handle the affairs properly."

Afridi feels Younus' need

Pakistan One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi felt the team needs Younus and that there were no replacements available for a batsman of his calibre.

"Pakistan needs a player like Younus because currently no player can replace him," said Afridi. "If somebody thinks he can replace Younus, he is mistaken."

Pakistan will play two Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20s against South Africa in the UAE series starting from October 26.

"Younus is an experienced player and will be required in the series against South Africa."

Earlier, former captain Zaheer Abbas had also called for Younus' inclusion in the squad for the UAE series saying that the batsman could take the team out of the current crisis it finds itself in.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2010.