Expressing disappointment: Younus offers to sit out until 2015 World Cup
Veteran’s outburst at selectors, team management may land him in trouble.
KARACHI:
In an astonishing attack on the national selection committee and team management, veteran batsman Younus Khan has claimed that he is deeply hurt and saddened after being axed from the ODI squad set to take on Australia next month.
“I have been greatly hurt by the selectors’ attitude,” he said. “What is my fault? Should I shoot myself just because I am older than 35?”
A clearly incensed Younus expressed his disappointment to the media on Friday at the National Stadium of Karachi, right after his team, Abbottabad Falcons, was dumped out of the National Twenty20 tournament in the group stages.
“I have been disgraced by the selectors,” he said. “I am yet to receive a copy of the central contract. As a senior pro who has served Pakistan cricket for 15 years, I need to be respected. I have played my innings and now towards the twilight of my career, I wish to be given my due.”
Younus, who has played 254 ODIs, was left out of the ODI team that will play three matches against Australia next month in the UAE. He was brought back for the 50-over format for the Sri Lanka series but flew back after the first match due to the tragic demise of his nephew.
“I had to return home due to my nephew’s death. Are cricket stars not even allowed to attend the funerals of their family members?” Younus asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Ready to stay away till the World Cup
Younus added to the woes of the PCB, who are already struggling to deal with the suspension of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, by announcing that he is contemplating staying away from the international circuit till the World Cup.
“If the selectors really want to build for the World Cup through youngsters; I hereby offer to stay away,” he said.
Younus also indicated that he was withdrawing from the Test series that will follow the limited overs matches.
‘Misbah didn’t do me any favour’
Younus did not spare ODI and Test captain Misbahul Haq and head coach Waqar Younis either. The 36-year-old felt that Misbah did not do him a favour by asking the selectors to retain him in the ODI squad.
“Misbah didn’t do me a favour if he asked for my inclusion; he did it for the betterment of the team,” he said. “Anyway, he didn’t say much after I was removed from the squad.”
Younus added that he is suffering a fate similar to that of other veterans of Pakistan cricket. “Waqar, like Muhammad Yousuf, Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad and Moin Khan, was unceremoniously dumped out of the team and was forced to end his career,” he said. “It is truly pitiable that these players haven’t learned from their own experience and are going down the same route with me.”
On the other hand, a PCB official close to the matter confirmed that the board is expected to send a show cause notice to Younus for his outburst.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2014.
In an astonishing attack on the national selection committee and team management, veteran batsman Younus Khan has claimed that he is deeply hurt and saddened after being axed from the ODI squad set to take on Australia next month.
“I have been greatly hurt by the selectors’ attitude,” he said. “What is my fault? Should I shoot myself just because I am older than 35?”
A clearly incensed Younus expressed his disappointment to the media on Friday at the National Stadium of Karachi, right after his team, Abbottabad Falcons, was dumped out of the National Twenty20 tournament in the group stages.
“I have been disgraced by the selectors,” he said. “I am yet to receive a copy of the central contract. As a senior pro who has served Pakistan cricket for 15 years, I need to be respected. I have played my innings and now towards the twilight of my career, I wish to be given my due.”
Younus, who has played 254 ODIs, was left out of the ODI team that will play three matches against Australia next month in the UAE. He was brought back for the 50-over format for the Sri Lanka series but flew back after the first match due to the tragic demise of his nephew.
“I had to return home due to my nephew’s death. Are cricket stars not even allowed to attend the funerals of their family members?” Younus asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Ready to stay away till the World Cup
Younus added to the woes of the PCB, who are already struggling to deal with the suspension of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, by announcing that he is contemplating staying away from the international circuit till the World Cup.
“If the selectors really want to build for the World Cup through youngsters; I hereby offer to stay away,” he said.
Younus also indicated that he was withdrawing from the Test series that will follow the limited overs matches.
‘Misbah didn’t do me any favour’
Younus did not spare ODI and Test captain Misbahul Haq and head coach Waqar Younis either. The 36-year-old felt that Misbah did not do him a favour by asking the selectors to retain him in the ODI squad.
“Misbah didn’t do me a favour if he asked for my inclusion; he did it for the betterment of the team,” he said. “Anyway, he didn’t say much after I was removed from the squad.”
Younus added that he is suffering a fate similar to that of other veterans of Pakistan cricket. “Waqar, like Muhammad Yousuf, Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad and Moin Khan, was unceremoniously dumped out of the team and was forced to end his career,” he said. “It is truly pitiable that these players haven’t learned from their own experience and are going down the same route with me.”
On the other hand, a PCB official close to the matter confirmed that the board is expected to send a show cause notice to Younus for his outburst.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2014.