Younus is set to make a return to the Pakistan ODI squad for the away leg of the South Africa tour later this month. PHOTO: AFP
LAHORE: The national selection committee is set to recall experienced batsman Younus Khan in the one-day team for the away tour of South Africa after being let down by youngsters in the UAE.
The selectors met at the National Cricket Academy yesterday and one of the major discussion points revolved around Younus.
Despite his poor record in South Africa, where he averages only 26.4 in 15 matches against the Proteas, the team management feels it is necessary to induct a senior player with experience.
They are in favour of bringing back the experienced campaigner in the 50-over format and the selectors have named him in the initial 20-man list.
“Younus will be back in the Pakistan line-up for one-day matches against South Africa,” an official close to the team management told The Express Tribune.
“Misbahul Haq and Moin Khan think Pakistan can benefit from Younus’ vast experience.”
Pakistan are set to play three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and two Twenty20s against the Proteas in a short tour later this month.
The 35-year-old batsman has represented Pakistan in 253 ODIs, scoring 7014 runs at an average of 31.88. He has six centuries and 48 half-centuries to his credit as well.
Recently, the former skipper had questioned his continuous snub from one-day line-up despite the youngsters continuously failing to grab the opportunities.
A member of the national selection committee confirmed that Younus was in contention for the ODI squad for the African tour.
“We’re considering the option of including Younus for the away tour of South Africa,” he said.
“He has good experience of playing in those conditions and that will be of great advantage to the team. The management also feels that he could play an important part in the series.
“However, the only problem we’re facing is accommodating the players of both T20 and one-day squads because Cricket South Africa has given a limit of only 16 players to the Pakistan Cricket Board.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2013.
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Make Yunis captain for this tour, give Misbah, Afridi, Hafeez, Ajmal rest. Include players lik Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Harris Sohail, Hammad Azam, Raza Hasan and M. Talha. Create a team for future.
May appear a decision going backwards but where we are at.... We need solidity in the batting order.