Younus included in ODI squad for UAE

The former captain Younus Khan is named for One-Day International series against South Africa in the UAE.

KARACHI/LAHORE: Despite another shocking display of the lack of coordination that has been omnipresent in the current Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) setup, the path for Younus Khan’s return to the Pakistan squad was cleared and the former captain was named for the One-Day International (ODI) series against South Africa in the UAE.

While chief selector Mohsin Khan remained ill-informed whether the former captain would be part of the Test squad or not as he shared the news in Karachi, team manager Intikhab Alam, in Lahore, confirmed that Younus’ return to the ODI and Test squad was vital to the team’s chances in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“The selection committee has received clearance from the PCB and has selected Younus for the limited-overs series,” Mohsin told a media conference at the National Stadium. “Younus is completely fit as he’s been playing regular cricket and his clearance is good news for Pakistan.”

Younus had earlier met PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt in Lahore after which the board announced to close his case which was remanded by the board-appointed appellate tribune.

The former captain was not considered for national selection on disciplinary grounds after the team’s failure in Australia earlier this year. Later, the PCB appointed one-man tribunal Justice Irfan Qadir, while removing the ban, remanded the case which was pending till yesterday’s meeting.

Yousuf injured, to miss T20s and ODIs

Mohsin confirmed that Younus’s inclusion in the Test squad will depend on his performance in the shorter version of the game before adding that Mohammad Yousuf, who made his international return on the tour of England, will miss the Twenty20s and ODIs due to injury.

“We’ll monitor Younus’ performance in the ODI series before making a decision on his participation in Tests. Yousuf will be called when he regains complete fitness. Since the tour acts as our home series, we can increase the squad as we wish.”

Intikhab welcomes return

Hours before Mohsin made the announcement, the manager applauded Younus’ return and believed his inclusion will boost the team’s performance in both formats of the game.

“It’s good news for the team that Younus has been reconsidered,” said Alam. “As far as his ability is concerned, he’s an experienced player and with his inclusion, Pakistan will find stability as we needed experience in the side to make it a strong one.

“I met Younus and I don’t think he has any problems. He is a professional cricketer and like every other player, the importance of focusing on the game has been emphasised to Younus as well.”

‘Dummy selector’ comments irk Mohsin

While the lack of coordination, and the recent war of words between parts of the team management and the selection committee, rose various questions, Mohsin was left fuming when asked to comment on his authority as the chief selector and the obvious involvement of Butt in selection matters.

“I’ve been given full powers as a chief selector and the selection committee is working independently,” said Mohsin. “The PCB chairman does not interfere in selection matters. We just require his go-ahead in cases like Younus’. I’m serving the PCB and Pakistan cricket with sincerity and no one should question that.”

Yousuf out for 2-3 weeks

Manager Intikhab Alam confirmed that Mohammad Yousuf’s injury has forced the batsman out of the limited-overs series against South Africa.

“Yousuf suffered a second-grade tear of the abductor muscle and will not be available for selection before the Test series, providing he regains full fitness by then,” said Alam.

Yousuf, 36, will start his rehabilitation from October 29 and will update the selection committee on his fitness prior to the Tests. He sustained his injury in the final of the recently-concluded Twenty20 Cup in Lahore where he led the Lahore Lions to a convincing win over Karachi Dolphins.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2010.