Pakistan leading runs scorer in Test cricket, Younis Khan, believes that United Bank Limited’s recent move to scrap their cricket team will send discouraging message to youngsters and upcoming cricketers.

Speaking to Dawn News, the legendary batsman, who scored over 10,000 runs in longest format of the game for Pakistan, said, “At the UBL academy, the youngsters are training day in and day out with hopes to excel in the game. But they will feel very disappointed when the same institution disbands its cricket team.”

The World T20 2009 winning skipper further said, “UBL is the only department with such a good set-up. Young players, at their training facility, will surely get discouraged by this move. How does it sound that ‘We will manage the cricket academy but will shut the cricket team'. It doesn’t seem fair.”

He added that he had a conversation with the bank’s head in this regard and he will be meeting other influential figures as well in the coming days to convince them to avert the dismantling of the cricket team.

UBL has been a prominent department with a rich history in the Pakistan domestic circuit. “UBL are the reigning departmental one-day champions and have eight or nine current national players in its ranks. I hope the relevant quarters will pay heed to my plea,” said Younis.