A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board has ruled out any disciplinary action against senior batsman Younis Khan for his recent controversial comments against Test captain Misbah-ul Haq and coach Waqar Younis.
Najam Sethi, who heads the powerful executive committee in the PCB since resigning as chairman last year, admitted that Younis said some harsh words but insisted the board had no intention of taking any action against senior cricketer.
“I have heard about his remarks but I think we need to be a bit mature about this. Younis is a senior player and has been playing well. One can understand some frustration but we need to move on,” Sethi said.
Younis, in his recent interviews, insisted he could still play one-day cricket and also indirectly blamed captain Misbah and head coach Waqar for not giving him and other players confidence.
“I don’t know if I had not scored those 177 runs in the fourth innings of the third Test in Sri lanka what would have happened. Most probably I would have been dropped. But this is not the way to treat senior players, they need to be given confidence. I have always give my best for Pakistan,” Younis had said.
Sethi said as far as Younis’ insistence on playing ODIs was concerned this was not a decision for him to make. “It not a decision he can make. It is up to the selectors and team management. If they feel he is required he will play,” Sethi said.
“As far as his desire to lead the team again is concerned there is nothing wrong in expressing this. But I think right now things are settled,” he added.
Pak to play England in UAE
Pakistan cricket authorities on Thursday announced the itinerary for their neutral-venue series against England in the United Arab Emirates from October to November.
The first Test will take place in Abu Dhabi between October 13 and 17, the second will be hosted in Dubai from October 22 to the 26 and the third from November 1 to 5 at Sharjah. The one-day internationals are scheduled for November 11 and 13 in Abu Dhabi, November 17 at Sharjah and November 20 at Dubai.