Pakistan skipper upset over Younis not being picked

HOBART - Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has taken a swipe at his country’s cricket chiefs and selectors for not heeding his SOS call to pick senior batsman Younis Khan.

“Younis is a good player for the team and country. I have been saying for ages we need him. I also said that in New Zealand. You can ask the (national) selectors about why they didn’t pick him” Yousuf said here.

Yousuf had urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to rush Younis to Australia after the team’s batting flopped in the opening Test against the Aussies in Melbourne last month. But the national selection committee made it clear that it will only pick Younis once he proves his form on the domestic circuit.

“We don’t need to check him in first-class cricket,” said Yousuf. “He has an average of 50 in Tests and has been playing well for 10 years. We have to see him here, not there,” he said.

While the Pakistani selectors decided against rushing Younis to Australia for the Sydney and Hobart Tests, they have recalled the former captain for the one-day series that will begin from Jan 22 in Brisbane.

Yousuf was also unhappy with the suggestions coming from various quarters for the inclusion of youngsters in the national team.

“I don’t understand all this noise about having youngsters. I mean if he is good then its okay. Umar Akmal and (Mohammad) Aamer, they are good - can they be dropped? But if you force it, then what is the point? Why the rush to kick out older players? Is there anyone to replace them? Bring someone new then replace the old ones,” he said.