Thaindian News

Islamabad, July 7(ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt has ruled out the imminent return of former captains Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf.

Younus was not included in the national team for the ongoing England tour, despite an indefinite ban being overturned last month.

Butt said that Younus and his lawyer Ahmed Qayyum had broken the players’ code of conduct in a subsequent written appeal.

“Younus and his lawyer have given inappropriate statements. There is a players’ code of conduct in place and we will not spare anyone who violates the code,” The Daily News quoted Butt, as saying.

Ruling out Yousuf’s return, Butt said: “Yousuf has announced his retirement so he is also not available.”

Younus and Yousuf were banned indefinitely from the team in March following an inquiry committee report, which had probed Pakistan’s dismal performances and disciplinary problems during tours of United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and Australia.Five other players - Shoaib Malik, Rana Navedul Hasan, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal - were also banned and fined.

However, an arbitrator later lifted bans on Younus and Malik and halved the fines.

Naved’s appeal is still pending, while Yousuf did not appeal and retired from cricket in protest.

Meanwhile, Younus has said that he is willing to play for Pakistan again.

“I am available to play for Pakistan whenever required. I have no fight with the PCB nor can I think of it. I am a known player because of Pakistan and the PCB,” Younus said.

Pakistan is currently on tour in England, where they have played a two game Twenty20 series against Australia.

It will be followed by two Tests. They will also play four Tests, two T20s and five one-day matches against England. (ANI)