Mohammad Yousuf gets green light to join up with Pakistan squad

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf has been granted a visa and will be considered for selection for the second test against England which starts at Edgbaston on Friday, the team said. 

"He will join us on Thursday and he will be under consideration for the second test," Pakistan manager Yawar Saeed said from Birmingham.                                           

Four months after being banned for damaging team morale, the experienced batsmen was recalled by Pakistan after a humiliating 354-run defeat in the first test.    

Yousuf, who turns 36 this month, has played 88 tests and 282 one-day internationals and captained the side in New Zealand and Australia this year. 

In March he was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board for an indefinite period after an inquiry into the team's poor performances found players guilty of misconduct and indiscipline.  

Yousuf reacted to the ban by announcing his retirement from international cricket but recently said he was ready to play for Pakistan again. 

Yousuf told reporters in Lahore that he was happy to be called up for national duty once again.                                           

"It is always a big honour playing for Pakistan. But any decision on whether I can play the second test will only be taken after I join the team," he said.

Yousuf scored three centuries on his last tour to England in 2006.