Thaindian News

By Omar Khalid
Karachi, Aug 12 (IANS) Pakistan captain Younis Khan has defended Mohammad Yousuf in spite of his below-par showing in the recently-concluded one-day series against Sri Lanka, saying that the premier batsman will take his time to adjust to the demands of international cricket.

Younis said Wednesday that Yousuf has returned after a gap of over a year, and that there is a big difference between playing the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and international cricket.

“He (Yousuf) was out of international cricket for more than a year and will take time to make adjustments,” said Younis. “He played in the ICL during that period but let me tell you that there is a world of a difference in the standard of that league and international cricket. I’m sure in time Yousuf will be giving his best for Pakistan.”

Yousuf is one of the most prolific Test batsmen in the world. He was banned by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for joining the unofficial ICL last year but received a pardon from the board earlier this summer after he severed ties with the league.

He was included in Pakistan’s squad for the tour of Sri Lanka and instantly made his presence felt with a stylish century in the opening Test in Galle. But later, his performance took a nose dive and Pakistan had to drop him during the one-day series against the Sri Lankans. Pakistan lost in both the Test and one-day series.

Besides Yousuf, Pakistan also recalled three other former ICL players - Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Imran Nazir.