Mohammad Yousuf is preparing to retire from all forms of international cricket, because of the punishment by the PCB handed out to him in the aftermath of Pakistan’s recent Australian tour of which he was captain.
The board blamed Yousuf for spreading infighting and indiscipline within the side and banned him for an indefinite period – along with Younis Khan – from all forms of the international game. Yousuf had taken over the captaincy last year when Younis stepped down following an ODI series loss to New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, at a time he says no one was willing to take the responsibility. Though he hasn’t yet specified the reasons behind his decision, it is believed that the PCB’s punishment and a lack of support from the board have made his mind up for him.
He said “I have decided to quit cricket, this is not an emotional decision. I consulted my family, friends and elders before taking it.” Yousuf is scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday in Karachi to make the decision official and is expected to outline the reasons for his retirement.
If it is the final goodbye – and his current mood indicates that he is serious – then Pakistan will lose the services of their most accomplished batsman of the decade alongside Inzamam-ul-Haq. He has over seven thousand Test runs from 88 Tests at 53.07, the highest for any Pakistani batsman. He has 39 international hundreds. Pakistan are due to play six Tests in England this summer, a prospect they must now consider!
