Younis asks team to focus on Sri Lanka tour

KARACHI - Pakistan captain Younis Khan Friday asked his team to put behind the celebrations of their World Twenty20 triumph and focus on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka that begins June 27.

We will have to leave our World Cup win behind and focus on what is a very tough assignment against Sri Lanka, Younis, who led Pakistan to the World Twenty20 championship win in England earlier this month, said at a reception hosted by Habib Bank Limited (HBL).

Pakistan is to play three Tests, five One-day Internationals and a Twenty20 game in Sri Lanka during a 45-day tour that will conclude August 12.

Pakistan has been bolstered by the return of two senior stars - Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq - who were previously banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) because of their association with the Indian Cricket League.

The duo was brought back in the national team after it broke ties with the unofficial Twenty20 league along with several other Pakistani cricketers.

Yousuf is regarded as one of the worlds best batsmen and will strengthen Pakistans middle-order in Sri Lanka. Razzaq is a seasoned all-rounder, who made his Pakistan comeback in the World Twenty and gave a good showing including a three-wicket haul in the final against Sri Lanka.

Younis said Pakistan will benefit from the return of Yousuf and Razzaq.

They are very experienced players and will certainly give us a lot of confidence in the series against Sri Lanka, said Younis.

Earlier, HBL President Zakir Mehmood announced cash rewards for Younis and three other Pakistani cricketers employed by the bank - Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul and Ahmed Shahzad.

Mehmood announced Rs.2 million reward each for Younis, Afridi and Gul while Agmed was given Rs.1 million. Younis also received a brand new Toyota car for his brilliant captaincy in the World Twenty20 and for scoring a match-saving triple century against Sri Lanka in the Karachi Test earlier this year.