Younus and I have to perform: Mohammad Yousuf

Mohammad Yousuf believes team’s bowling can help them thrive against South Africa in the Test series.

DUBAI: Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf believes that performing well in the two-Test series against South Africa is his and Younus Khan’s responsibility as senior players.

Yousuf was omitted from the limited-overs squad on fitness grounds but made his international return in the final One-Day International of the series. Younus was not included in the Test squad when it was named prior to the series but the selection committee decided to add his name after the ODI series.

“Being seniors, Younus and I have to perform in the Test series,” Yousaf told reporters. “We have to occupy the crease for as long as possible during the Test matches and being seniors, we are fully aware of our job and will try to do our best.”

Asked whether he wanted to achieve any milestone being at the twilight of his career, Yousuf said he had nothing in mind but was looking forward to performing well for the team tomorrow.

“There is no such milestone in mind but I’m always looking forward to perform well for the country.”

The 36-year-old batsmen is confident that Pakistan have a good combination of seniors and young players and each one of them would have to play their part in the interest of the team to thrive.

Both teams will be playing Tests at the Dubai Sports City Stadium for the first time and Yousuf claimed that this made it difficult to make any predictions about the series.

But Yousuf also admitted that South Africa are a strong team on paper given their experienced batting line-up comprising Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, and Ashwell Prince.

“Without any doubt they are a formidable team but South Africa are not the favourites.”

Banking on the bowling attack

Yousuf believes that Pakistan have a competitive bowling attack to compensate for South Africa’s quality batsmen. “We have a good bowling line-up and being senior bowlers there is a big responsibility on Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul. Both have played plenty of cricket while Wahab Riaz has played just a few Test matches, is new to the team but has played well so far.

“There no that doubt leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is an experienced bowler and we will be missing him in the series against South Africa as he’s taken 250-plus wickets,” said Yousuf. “However, we’re still backing Saeed Ajmal despite his omission midway through the ODI series due to poor form.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2010.