Thaindian News

London, Aug 2(ANI): Pakistan skipper Salman Butt has criticised the inclusion of former captain Mohammad Yousuf for rest of the Test series against England, saying that the team needs stability rather than experienced players.

Butt said that Pakistan had shown their resilience by winning the second Test against Australia by three wickets at Headingley, which was Pakistan’s first Test victory over Australia since 1995.

“How many wins have Pakistan had with the people who were previously playing? Had we been winning with them in the team in the past two years then it could have been a mistake (to omit them). But the results were the same,” The News quoted Butt, as saying.

“In fact these guys (the current team) pulled off a victory after 15 years (against Australia). So, people are not seeing the reality. We have to make people understand these are the guys for the future,” he added.

Just hours after Pakistan were bowled out for 80, their lowest Test score against England at Trent Bridge, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Yousuf had been added to the squad.

The 35-year-old, who has scored 7,431 Test runs at an average of over 53, had announced his retirement in March, having been handed an indefinite ban by the PCB after Pakistan’s disastrous tour of Australia.

Butt further insisted that Pakistan had no option, but to stick with middle-order batsmen Azhar Ali and Umar Amin for long-term success.

“Whoever is in the Pakistan team is there because of his ability and needs to be given time to show what they are capable of,” he said.

Ali and Amin, batting at three and four, managed just one run between them in the second innings slump in what was only their third Test after their debut at Lord’s Test against Australia. (ANI)