Yousuf leaves Pak domestic team after fallout with captain Rana Naved

LAHORE - Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf has left his old domestic team, WAPDA, to join Lahore for the Quaid-e-Azam tournament after a fallout with captain Rana Naved.

According to the Daily Times, Rana had refused to play Yousuf in a match.

“The problem arose after Rana did not play Yousuf whose fitness was suspect, and could have had a negative impact on the team’s performance,” a source was quoted as saying.

The source claimed that Yousuf, who had to return home from Dubai without playing a Test against South Africa due to a groin injury, insisted that he was recovering and wanted to get back to playing for WAPDA.

“Basically Yousuf wanted an opportunity to play and prove to the selectors that he is fit and available for the New Zealand tour,” the source said.

“Rana’s contention was that Yousuf should spend time with the WAPDA team and train with them before the management could be satisfied that he was 100 percent fit to return to competitive cricket. Rana’s concern was that playing an unfit player could ruin the team’s chances of keeping their lead at the points table,” the source added.

The source also said that after Yousuf was refused permission to play, he along with fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed decided to leave the team and play for Lahore.

The national selectors will analyze performances at the Quaid-e-Azam tounament while finalizing the squad for the tour of New Zealand, and to give a final shape to the preliminary squad for the 2011 World Cup. (ANI)