Banned Yousuf calls it a day
Source: Agencies |
March 30, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER Pakistan captain Muhammad Yousuf announced his retirement from international cricket yesterday after the indefinite ban imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board earlier this month.
"The PCB has said in its letter sent to me that I am a disruptive influence on the team and I would never want my presence to affect the team," Yousuf, 35, told a news conference.
"I have always given my best for Pakistan and if they feel I am not a good influence on the team then it is better that I retire now."
Yousuf, who has played 88 tests and 282 one-day internationals, and another former captain, Younus Khan, were banned indefinitely by the PCB on the recommendations of an inquiry committee that looked into the team's poor performances in Australia and reports of infighting.
Yousuf skippered Pakistan on the tours of New Zealand and Australia last year after then captain Younus asked to take a break from international cricket. Pakistan was swamped 0-3 and 0-5 by Australia in the test and one-day series.
Yousuf, who won the ICC test batsman of the year award in 2006 for his record-breaking spree of run-scoring when he got nine centuries, originally retired from internationals when he joined the unofficial Indian Cricket League in 2007 but later returned to play for Pakistan. "I have decided it is best that I retire from international cricket now but I will continue to play domestic cricket and in foreign leagues to keep in touch with the sport," Yousuf said.
Meanwhile, a four-day match in Abu Dhabi will use pink balls as part of a bid by the ICC and officials governing the laws of cricket to eventually play the five-day test format under lights to arrest its declining popularity.
The Marylebone Cricket Club, which formulates the laws for the governing body, will play Durham under flood lights. The match is traditionally staged at Lord's as the season-opening game in England.
White balls, used in one-day internationals instead of red ones for tests and first-class cricket, have failed to retain their color over long stretches of time. Pink balls were recently used as an experiment in Australia but only in limited-overs games.
"The research we undertook showed there was a willingness among fans to attend day-night test cricket and that was something boards were attracted to," MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw said.
"All the reports that came back on the pink ball were very encouraging. But the proof will be in the pudding, which is over the next few days. If the ball holds its shine and shape and the players are happy, then it's as good a test as any."
"The PCB has said in its letter sent to me that I am a disruptive influence on the team and I would never want my presence to affect the team," Yousuf, 35, told a news conference.
"I have always given my best for Pakistan and if they feel I am not a good influence on the team then it is better that I retire now."
Yousuf, who has played 88 tests and 282 one-day internationals, and another former captain, Younus Khan, were banned indefinitely by the PCB on the recommendations of an inquiry committee that looked into the team's poor performances in Australia and reports of infighting.
Yousuf skippered Pakistan on the tours of New Zealand and Australia last year after then captain Younus asked to take a break from international cricket. Pakistan was swamped 0-3 and 0-5 by Australia in the test and one-day series.
Yousuf, who won the ICC test batsman of the year award in 2006 for his record-breaking spree of run-scoring when he got nine centuries, originally retired from internationals when he joined the unofficial Indian Cricket League in 2007 but later returned to play for Pakistan. "I have decided it is best that I retire from international cricket now but I will continue to play domestic cricket and in foreign leagues to keep in touch with the sport," Yousuf said.
Meanwhile, a four-day match in Abu Dhabi will use pink balls as part of a bid by the ICC and officials governing the laws of cricket to eventually play the five-day test format under lights to arrest its declining popularity.
The Marylebone Cricket Club, which formulates the laws for the governing body, will play Durham under flood lights. The match is traditionally staged at Lord's as the season-opening game in England.
White balls, used in one-day internationals instead of red ones for tests and first-class cricket, have failed to retain their color over long stretches of time. Pink balls were recently used as an experiment in Australia but only in limited-overs games.
"The research we undertook showed there was a willingness among fans to attend day-night test cricket and that was something boards were attracted to," MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw said.
"All the reports that came back on the pink ball were very encouraging. But the proof will be in the pudding, which is over the next few days. If the ball holds its shine and shape and the players are happy, then it's as good a test as any."
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