In a way the talented but troubled Mohammed Yousuf reflects the state of Pak cricket as a whole at this time. As he is troubled by several issues such as the Indian Cricket League (ICL), domestic cricket and international cricket as well his place in the national team, so is the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), troubled by issues such as international teams refusing to tour Pak, abysmal attendance of the few test matches that are staged, criticism from different quarters, and problems and factions among players.  

Being part of the ICL had swiftly resulted in Yousuf being barred from playing domestic as well as international cricket for Pak, which led him to appeal to the president of the country appeal to the president of the country  no less for intervention! Reportedly he had written to President Asif Ali Zardari saying that "I still want to play for Pakistan because this country has given me everything. Most importantly it has given me Islam. But the people who run cricket affairs they don't want me to play for the country."

Now however Yousuf has distanced himself from the ongoing domestic cricket being played in Pak in spite of having been cleared by the Sindh High Court. According to cricket news reports, Yousuf didn't appear for any team in the final round of the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam cricket tournament although eight matches were held at different venues.

Earlier 17 Pak players who were part of the rebel ICL teams had moved the high court to set aside the ban imposed on them by the PCB, and consequently the said ban was vacated by the High Court and Yousuf was free to play domestic cricket if he so chose. It is however not clear why Yousuf, who had earlier led the Lahore team and represented Wapda chose not to do so. "No one knows why Yousuf didn't play in the final round although the cricketer himself has admitted that he has not touched a bat since November," one source was reported as having said. It seems strange when he went to all the trouble of writing to the president and moving the court as well.

For its part, the PCB has clarified its stand, that if Yousuf would snap his ties with the ICL, he would immediately be considered for Pakistan team and also get a new central contract. So now we shall wait and see if we can understand what Mohammed Yousuf really wants!

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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