Sports

No PSL for old men: Younus lashes out at PCB for no invitation

World Twenty20 winning captain says PCB has made it clear that there is no place for him in the lucrative league

Sports Desk September 21, 2015

PHOTO: REUTERS

Veteran Pakistani batsman Younus Khan, who led the team to the only World Twenty20 title, was angry on Sunday after he was not invited to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) launch ceremony by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Younus, while talking to a local sports channel, complained: "I was not invited for the ceremony. They ignored my accomplishments for Pakistan and my achievements in T20 cricket.

"But in a way it is good because they have sent me a clear message that where I stand as far as the PSL is concerned and if I will be a part of it or not.

"It doesn't matter to me at this stage of my career but it is disappointing not being invited for the PSL launch after having served Pakistan cricket for so long," he added, as quoted by NDTV.

Read: Pakistan Super League launched in star-studded event

The PSL launch ceremony was without some of the greats like Javed Miandad and Imran Khan. Even the former heads of the board, Ijaz Butt, Khalid Mehmood, Tauqir Zia and Zaka Ashraf, who are based in Lahore were absent from the ceremony.

Former captain and wicketkeeper Rashid Latif said that PCB's treatment of former players was not good.

"Simple invitation cards were sent to former players that is all. Is this the way to hold such a big event by treating your greats at par with other guests," said Latif.

Meanwhile, Younus also told bowling great Wasim Akram to mind his own business and not advise him about his career.

Read: Wasim advises Younis Khan to focus on Test cricket only

"I respect him a lot he is a legend of Pakistan cricket. But I think he should not bother or worry about me. Because after 15 years of international cricket I don't think I need to take anyone's advice to decide what to do about my career," said Younis.

COMMENTS (17)

munir anwar | 9 years ago | Reply younous bai dont worry actually this team dont deserve to be a good team... ignorance made them worse team of the world still they dont learn how i and you can suggest them... enjoy with your cricket... stay bless i love to watch you plzz keep playing

Sajjad Ashraf | 9 years ago | Reply This guy has always had a big ego. If him, then PCB needed to invite all living old players. Get some rest Mr. Khan. Your time for T20 is up

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salman | 9 years ago | Reply Isn't he himself retired from Twenty-20 cricket way back in 2009 ? so why he is crying like a jealous kid now ? perhaps no easy money for him

Abdullah | 9 years ago | Reply PCB should reconsider its decision and include him in the one day squad. In fact, he is the only technically sound batsman in the Pakistani team and he is acknowledge across the globe. I am sure he can deliver at any platform, he got the guts and strong nerves. Wasim Akram should refrain from such statements as he is not a batting expert such statements are deemed insulting for such a world class batsman.

shehryar bukhari | 9 years ago | Reply This man has no respect for himself . Nothing but a case of bizzare self praise.

Nauman | 9 years ago | Reply There must be a good reason this guy is often ignored. When he snubbed the captaincy offer almost a decade ago he chose the lone wolf path which he clearly regrets now. He is a great test batsmen, and that's about it. Doesn't have the persona to carry himself without making a fool of himself. In a recent interview he went on and showed his disgust for about 5 min for being compared to Misbah. Speaks volumes about the pettiness of this guy.

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply That's why Misbah is the perfect role model of self-management for the new generation of cricketers. One particular Karachi based channel with its loser cricketing experts has been after Misbah since the world cup but Misbah the champion only responds the way he knows how...lets his bat do the talking and putting to shame all these naysayer fools.

Ad | 9 years ago | Reply Too much stupidity in one small article. Rashid Latif never had any intellect to speak of and has only been made to look like a larger than life character by his lobbyists in GEO Sports. What else PCB is supposed to do besides sending out invites? Perhaps send a delegation of PCB higher ups in a follow-up to the invitation cards? Most of the former players have one axe or another to grind against each other or the board and they just can't stand sharing the same space, hence there is no point in cajoling these so called greats to attend such a ceremony. As for Younis Khan. He demands respect simply because he is the most senior pro in Pakistan cricket but on the flip side he admonishes Wasim Akram rather crudely. If Younis Khan despite having a laughable career average of 31.00 in ODI cricket despite playing the game for 15 years and demanding from the board to include him in the ODI team, Wasim Akram has as much right to advise Younis Khan on sticking to test cricket only because ODI ain't Younis's cup of tea.

fact is fact | 9 years ago | Reply @Danyal: My reaction is not just because of this reaction from My Khan but he has been following the same path since old days be it wasim, waqar or inzi. Same follows for Mr Afridi and Mr Razzaq. No doubt they are good players but respect is important. its a give and take thing. If i dont respect my elders, i shouldn't expect to get respect. Today younis is saying mind ur business and tomorrow his juniors will say the same. Look at Misbah, how he reacts.. Look at sachin, how he reacted and so on.

Danyal | 9 years ago | Reply @fact is fact: The writer of this article has used the words "mind his own business". I checked how Mr.Younis had reacted and I believe it wasn't disrespectful at all atleast not as much as the writer wants us to think. So dude, chill.

John | 9 years ago | Reply I laughed to read reactions of ex-players from pakistan. They should not treat as par of other guests???!! then!!!?? so,what are their demands??!!! Treat like king and rest of guests as subject!!! They are completely childish. It is function of PSL not their indiviual birthday!!! Invitation card is enough.

fact is fact | 9 years ago | Reply Thats the problem with Pakistani stars. Sir per char jaaty hain... If they don't know how to respect experienced ones, how can they expect to get the respect from others. I understand he should have been invited but talking to Mr Akram like this is just beyond minds.. i guess Pathan effect :P

Shahid | 9 years ago | Reply Out of basic courtesy YK should have been invited!

Zaid Noorsumar | 9 years ago | Reply He should certainly have been invited but as far as his limited overs career is concerned, he needs to score lots of runs in domestic cricket to prove that he is still capable. And even if he does that and is still neglected by selectors, he should realize that (a) there are more talented and younger players around, and (b) he has not done himself any favors by averaging just 31 in over 250 ODIs - and in fact since 2009 has averaged around 25-26. With such a poor record in ODIs, he has only himself to blame.

Shane | 9 years ago | Reply How do you not invite Younus? Firstly, he should walk in to the Pakistan limited overs teams; he brings with him a wealth of experience and can anchor the dodgy line-up. Also, who says he's not good at T20s? Has anyone noticed his performances in the Haier cup recently? Dissapointed. Legend of the game not appreciated.

Awaam Khaas | 9 years ago | Reply I understand choosing the best team for Pakistan but very sad for not inviting the ONLY winning captain from Pakistan for T20 World Cup.

UR | 9 years ago | Reply Younis Bhai....Cool it. Enjoy your test career! You will always be remembered as one of Pakistan's greatest test batsman. However, you were and will always be mediocre at best in ODIs and T20s. We won the T20 2009 due to Afridi's heroics, not your captaincy.

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