Upset at being dropped from the ODI side, Pakistan’s senior batsman and former captain Younis Khan on Friday, lambasted the national selectors and said they should be held accountable if they fail to build a new team for the World Cup in February next year.
A visibly angry Younis, who was dropped from the one-day squad for the series against Australia, told reporters that he was willing to step aside from the national team for the next six months.
“If they say I have no future then I will step aside in all formats. Don’t pick me even for Tests. I am willing to step aside for five months before the World Cup. Let them make a new team but if they don’t succeed then the selectors should be held accountable,” he said.
Younis, 36, a veteran of Pakistan cricket with 91 Test and 254 one-day appearances, said he was angry because of the way he was treated by the selectors and Board.
“I am upset at the treatment meted out to senior players. How can Moin Khan (chief selector) say I am not fit for ODI cricket. I am not against anyone. But after keeping me out for 15 months in ODI cricket, on what basis did they judge me? If I am 36 does it means I should shoot myself? Can’t 30-plus players perform in international cricket? All my life I have given more than 100 percent for Pakistan cricket and this is how they treat me,” he fumed.
Younis, a regular in the Test side, was dropped from the ODI squad after he was recalled for this format for last month’s series against Sri Lanka but played in only the first match before returning home due to the death of his nephew.
Younis was recalled to the ODI squad after nearly 15 months.
“I don’t know what criteria they have followed to drop me. But I am upset because if they had called me and just told me Younis we are planning ahead and you play one match and announce your retirement I would have done it. But this is not the way to treat senior players. It is a joke.”
Younis further stated that all the talk about building a new team while not giving respect to seniors was not acceptable.
“If they say this is my fault. I will advice the youngsters not to play for Pakistan, don’t even think of playing for Pakistan. They kicked out a great like Mohammad Yousuf, Miandad left crying, Inzamam left crying. This is how seniors are treated.”
“I am surprised because in the past Moin himself has been a senior player and he knows the way he went out. Others have also faced a similar fate. At least they should have considered this while dealing with me. I just want respect as a senior player.”
Younis said he was not worried about getting a show-cause notice from the board for his comments.
“On what basis will they issue the show-cause? I have been asking for a copy of the central contract for the last five months and they are yet to give it so I don’t know what is in the contract.”
