Experience does matter and PCB does not want to take any chances in this ground. So the authorities in Pakistan cricket are of the opinion that ban should be lifted from Mohammad Yousuf, so that he can join the Pakistan team in its tour to Sri Lanka during July and August. A source in PCB confirmed that the board is considering granting pardon to the ace batsman whose experience would come handy against the Sri Lankan spin attacks from Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis. Yousuf could also be employed to contain the Sri Lankan pace bowlers, who are equally formidable.

Yousuf was banned by PCB from playing international cricket matches for the country after he joined the Indian Cricket League (ICL) last November. Yousuf, who played the 269 ODI matches for the country said that his differences with the then captain Shoaib Malik forced him to take decision for joining ICL. “I had a problem with the captain at that time, so I left. I had issues with the previous board administration as well,” said Yousuf.

Just a few years back, Yousuf had made a world record of most runs in a calendar year by striking a cricket score of 1,788 in 2006. Yousuf’s inclusion would definitely bolster the team’s batting in the series against Sri Lanka. The Pakistan fixture includes three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and a Twenty20 international on its tour of Sri Lanka. However, the final decision in this regard will be taken by the PCB chairman, Ijaz Butt. Butt is presently on a goodwill tour of South Asia with a mission to garner support from the cricket boards of neighboring countries. Whether or not to include Yousuf in the team for the upcoming cricket tour will be decided only after Butt returns from India.

It is generally believed that Butt is in favor of recalling Yousuf to the team provided the cricketer can produce the proof of his breaking the ties with ICL. Yousuf meanwhile told the cricket news media that he had snapped his ties with the rebel league. “I am available to play for Pakistan which has always been my priority. I have resigned from the ICL and have spoken to captain Younis Khan on the matter,” said the 34 year old cricketer.

It is clear from PCB’s attitude that the board is taking the series - Pakistan’s first full series in over 20 months - too seriously and it is ready to go any length to make it work. If they seriously think that Yousuf can bolster the team’s batting strength, then he is most likely to feature among the eleven players that are going to face the lions in their own country.

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

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