Younus Khan vows to come back for Australia tour

‘Rested’ Pakistan Test captain Younus Khan has vowed to make a comeback in the squad for the Australia tour.

Talking to mediapersons hours after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that prolific middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf would be leading the side in the Test series against New Zealand starting next week, Khan said there is still lot of cricket left in him and that he would return to the Test team soon.

“I want to tell my fans that I am not finished, I will come back. My country comes first, more than my family and more than myself,” Khan was quoted as saying.

He denied having any differences with the senior members of the team and said that he has realised that he was not in his best, so it was better to take rest and work out on his problems.

‘I have taken this decision after giving it a serious thought, since I am not in the best of form and need some rest. I must also clarify that I don’t hold any grudges against anybody,” Khan said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday had appointed Yousuf as the captain of the Test team. Wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal was made Yousuf’s deputy for the series against the Kiwis.

Sources said Khan himself had urged the selectors not to consider him for the series against the Black Caps as he needed a break from the hectic international schedule, but insiders revealed it was much more than what was reported.

Earlier, three senior players of the team had reportedly asked PCB chief Ijaz Butt to remove Khan, saying his imposing attitude was affecting team performance.

It has also been revealed that Khan, following his soft dismissal in last and final one-day international against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on Monday, had an altercation with some of his senior teammates.

Sources said that Khan does not share a cordial relationship with some senior players like vice-captain Shahid Afridi, former captain Shoaib Malik, and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.

The absence of prolific middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf from the last ODI against the Kiwis also highlighted that all was not well inside the Pakistani dressing room.

“The senior players are not happy with Younus’ attitude, and how he shuffles the batting order to cover his own shortcomings,” sources privy to the team’s dressing room had said.

“The chairman (Ijaz Butt) had promised to summon a board meeting as soon as possible for further investigation into this matter,” they added.