Former Pakistan Captain and ace Test batsman Muhammad Yousuf was upset over not getting permission to feature in the ongoing President's Cricket Trophy. Yousuf a veteran of 90 Test matches is willing to play however, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in his way.
"On one hand, the PCB tells me to prove my form and fitness in the domestic circuit, however on the other hand they do not allow me to do so", he told a private television channel on Wednesday night. "Since 2010 I have not been representing any domestic team, this time around the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) offered me a slot which I readily accepted," Yousuf said.
Yousuf, 38-year-old, was not included in the names provided, before the competition, to the PCB by all the departments taking part in the President's Cup. As per the rules a player not appearing in a list can not be included in any outfit. Yousuf's case required change in the rules hence it needed clearance first from the Cricket Committee and then from the Executive Co-ordination Committee of the PCB.
On the other hand, while coming down hard on the PCB, another former captain and the coach of the PQA, Rashid Latif expressed disappointment on PCB's decision. According to him, by not even replying to the formal request made to the Director General Javed Miandad, the PCB rubbed the legendary batsman the wrong way.
"I sent a letter to Miandad on October 30, and in any event, the PCB should have at least replied. This is not the way to treat a legendary player like Muhammad Yousuf," Rashid Latif maintained. "They have to say Yes or No, but their silence was extremely disappointing for me. PCB's behaviour with a player like Yousuf is deplorable," he concluded.
Another former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was showing his keenness to return to domestic cricket to represent Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) in a bid to regain his depleted batting form. Shahid Afridi had not played longer version of cricket after quitting from Test cricket in the year 2010.
Cricket Consult HBL and former international Abdul Raqueeb said on Thursday that they have submitted a request with PCB to allow Shahid Afridi to take part in President's Trophy. "We are waiting for the permission from the PCB domestic incharge Javed Miandad," he added.