England series: Younis Khan returns to Pakistan’s ODI squad

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England series: Younis Khan returns to Pakistan’s ODI squad

AFP Published November 5, 2015

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LAHORE: Pakistan Thursday recalled senior batsman Younis Khan in the 16-man squad for the one-day series against England starting later this month, despite reservations over his current form.

The 37-year-old batsman was discarded from the one-day team after a poor tour of New Zealand and 2015 World Cup in April, where he managed just 77 runs in six matches.

But chief selector Haroon Rasheed said Pakistan would need his batting experience during the four-match series.

“Obviously his current Test form is good and we need a senior batsman to stabilise our middle order batting,” Rasheed said.

Younis has had a see-saw one-day career of 264 matches, having scored only two hundreds in the last seven years, a record that has lead head coach Waqar Younis and support staff to reportedly resisted selecting him.

But Rasheed defending selecting Younis.

“It's not a backward move because we have a few tough series coming up and we need to strengthen our batting. It's up to Younis to adapt to the modern needs of one-day cricket,” said Rasheed.

The first of four one-day matches start in Abu Dhabi on November 11.

The squad has uncapped 20-year-old Zafar Gohar who bowls left-arm spin and bats in the lower order, replacing Imad Wasim who is ruled out of the one-day matches with injury.

Pakistan and England will also play three Twenty20 Internationals for which a squad will be announced later.

Azhar Ali will lead Pakistan's one-day team.

Squad: Azhar Ali (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Zafar Gohar, Mohammad Irfan, Rahat Ali, Anwar Ali, Amir Yamin and Bilal Asif.

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Funny Indian

Nov 05, 2015 05:17pm

Younis is a very good player. His age is 37 by the time he reaches 40, he will qualified enough to become a captain as rightly said by shoaib akhthar in comedy nights with kapil.

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Rufi

Nov 05, 2015 05:19pm

Younus should announce his retirement from ODI'S and just concentrate on getting 10,000 runs. Be the bigger man and let it go.

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Amir Shahzad

Nov 05, 2015 05:35pm

and he has made his way back again by making noise in media. I am not sure even if he is fit for test games as well as he really struggle against fast bowling. Harris Sohail is playing domestics cricket and scoring so if he is fit to play in domestic then he must be fit in playing international and by no mean Younis is a better batsman than him. People in PCB administration want to protect themself so for them it is better to have silent Younis than noisy Younis.

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Shahid

Nov 05, 2015 05:39pm

I personally feel there is nobody better out there in odis that can occupy the crease for than 15 overs in an odi. I cant actually remember the last time Pakistan got a 250+ score in recent memory. A solid middle order bodes well, with flashy players opening and in the tail. Not a bad decision at all.

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Lodhi

Nov 05, 2015 05:47pm

Fully agreed with what Rufi said. Younis is a great test player and a sportsman at twilight of his career. He is absolutely tarnishing his image as a cricketer by keep coming back to a format that he is not suited you and then getting dropped. He should let ODIs go and just focus of Tests. He was never good enough for limited over cricket, and will never be. I am really disappointed that as a senior player he is not more focused on letting some new-comer take his spot. And, there are quite a few who could: Sohaib, Harris, Mukhtar and even Umer Akmal (who has a much higher batting average than Younis). quite disappointed to see Younis in the squad.

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Shahid

Nov 05, 2015 05:54pm

@Amir Shahzad Sorry mate thats a load of tripe. When did he go to the media? Hes been busy scoring centuries again. If you actually saw any of the matches, he was playing the pacers quite well and with more ease than any other batsman in the team. You seriously think the likes of Harris Sohail will stand up to the likes of Broad and Anderson? I doubt it hugely.

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yasir

Nov 05, 2015 05:58pm

poor decision. We still remember his poor performance in 2011 and 2015 worldcups.

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Nadeem

Nov 05, 2015 06:07pm

Good thing to have a senior player in ODI team, but he will need to show improvement.

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IRSHAD

Nov 05, 2015 06:29pm

Younis has proved his mettle in Tests but he has not impressed in the shorter versions of the game, especially of late. Being a good Test batsman does not mean one can do equally well in ODIs and T20s. If that was the case, then based on his performances in the just concluded Tests, Alistair Cook would be an automatic choice for the forthcoming ODIs and T20s against Pakistan, but he is not even under consideration - and rightly so. Exactly what does Younis want to prove? He is not a shorter version material and the sooner he accepts that, the better for him. Like all well-meaning Pakistanis, I join the chorus asking him to concentrate on Test cricket and forget ODIs and T20s. He just does not belong there - especially at his age - and will be a total misfit and failure in the upcoming limited over matches.

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Mohammed

Nov 05, 2015 06:35pm

YK is the worst player in international ODI cricket. The guy has played over 250 ODI matches, how many chances does he need?

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Umair Khalid

Nov 05, 2015 06:49pm

Azhar Ali- captain of ODI team (big no no!) Younis Khan in OID's- huge no no! Fawad Alam or Haris Sohail would have been much better choices. As usual selectors have made a big blunder!!

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Sidd

Nov 05, 2015 06:58pm

Other than his age and recent poor performance in ODIs, Younis has an ODI average of 31 and strike rate of 75. There are so many young batsman who are giving excellent performance in domestic cricket, they deserve a chance.

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hashim_it@hotmail.com

Nov 05, 2015 07:10pm

should have selected Asad Shafiq instead of Younis !!!

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Karachi wala

Nov 05, 2015 07:13pm

@Amir Shahzad What a poor statement that Younus is not better than Haris Sohail. There is absoulately no comparision between these two Either you do not have cricket knowledge or U are very biased person. The people like you really spoiled the Pakistan

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Mujtaba

Nov 05, 2015 07:14pm

Anyone here who is supporting the inclusion of YK in ODIs has obviously either never had closer look at his ODI performances or is a big fan of YK. Look at Malik, how he realized that he is not suited for Tests and left the place for some youngster. YK wanting a place in ODIs on the basis of test performances is just abysmal. And more abysmal is the thought-process of the people who want him in the ODIs at an average of 31 after 15 years! This is just pure dilemma.

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khan

Nov 05, 2015 07:18pm

We need one dependable hand to play at least 20 overs. YK is the best choice. Let younger guys first prove themselves and then desire.

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M Akram

Nov 05, 2015 07:27pm

Welcome back to ODI squad. Sir you are a Pakistani legend and soon we would like the cricketing world to accept you as a modern day cricketing legend as well. We will be hooting for you all the way for You and Pakistan.

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Usman

Nov 05, 2015 07:27pm

@khan do you know we have just won 3 ODI series in a row, including beating SL in SL all with a 'young' side. Do you know how many ODI series we won with Misbah and Younis in the team over the years Misbah was captain? Yeah pretty much none besides against minnows.

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Faisal

Nov 05, 2015 07:39pm

His recent records pressurized selection committee to take wrong decision (((v v v pity show of nerves to take right decision) Younis Khan is great But surely not compatible and match winning player for One Day and T-20.

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from Twincity

Nov 05, 2015 07:43pm

I will prefer this final 11 for first ODI Azhar Ali (captain) Mohammad Hafeez Younis Khan Shoaib Malik Sarfraz Ahmed Mohammad Rizwan or Amir Yamin Yasir Shah Wahab Riaz Mohammad Irfan Anwar Ali Bilal Asif

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parveez

Nov 05, 2015 07:49pm

He should give up playing one day. Now that he is playing one day if he has good series. Please no more, before Pakistan drops you again.

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Ahmed

Nov 05, 2015 07:53pm

Pathetic decision by the selectors. ODI team is quite settled without YK from the last couple of series and this decision reflects the pessimism of the selectors and the mistrust in the ability of talented youngsters who have come in our ODI team recently like Rizwan, Sohaib, Haris. Really disappointed. Hope he does not get to play any match.

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AIZ

Nov 05, 2015 08:12pm

In 80s and 90s , old age players could survive in one day cricket, YK can not play a fast pace cricket any more he's a different caliber player..... ie Tendulkar met all modern day cricket requirements, he opened and scored even till at the age of 39-40. YK needs to think again. we do need a stability in middle order , but he cannot give that kind of support what AB gives.

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Amar

Nov 05, 2015 08:20pm

Good luck, hope these folks can keep up the name and flag of Pakistan.

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Aqil Siddiqi

Nov 05, 2015 08:40pm

What a poor selection for ODI's. I won't be surprised if England Beat the crap out of us Like last time 4-0. Just accept the fact Mr. YK, that you are not a ODI's version player, and be a bigger man and retire from this format. Haroon Rashid must be on dope to think the way he thinks abt players like YK and Shoaib Malik.

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Masood Husssain

Nov 05, 2015 08:46pm

Selectors have done well in picking Younis khan.

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YKY

Nov 05, 2015 08:51pm

YK will silence all.My captain for nexxt WC T20,just like he did last time ,only wrld cup for pakistan in t20.

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Raza K

Nov 05, 2015 09:04pm

@khan How are young guys going to prove themselves if selectors continue to persist with YK?

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Shahid

Nov 05, 2015 09:09pm

@yasir Who performed well in either world cup for Pakistan?

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Fahim Khan

Nov 05, 2015 09:14pm

Isn't Sarfraz Ahmed "Vice Captain"?

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hameed

Nov 05, 2015 09:22pm

All hail the team and that silent warrior misbah

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Nov 05, 2015 09:38pm

I agree we need a senior player to hold the innings together. Good decision. I would not delay including Mohammad Aamir to the team. He himself has waisted precious years. Now we should bring him back as soon as possible. He is performing well in domestic cricket. Why delay?

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Serg

Nov 05, 2015 10:09pm

YK or Fawad, it is the same thing. They should bring Sami Aslam, drop Ahmed Shehzad. That is paramount.

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Sandeep Kumar

Nov 05, 2015 10:17pm

terrible selection ...thats y pakistan odi team is at bottom...younis himself should announce retirement from odi...he failed in the world cup...will he play next world cup??no...and azam will not get a game because the middle order will be like hafeez,younis,malik at 3,4,5...and y they keep picking shahzad??he have the worst strike rate as opener in the world even after playing after 70 odd odis...where is sami aslam??y was aslam dropped after only one odi v ban in which he scored 45???and they dont know a bowler named sadaf hussain exits in pakistan surely...he could have replaced rahat ali..

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Gulzar

Nov 05, 2015 10:20pm

Can't we have umer akmal or the guy from Multan in place of YK in ODI side. I think he is bigger then ODI, should focus on 10 in Tests

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Dr. Jagdeep Malhotra PhD

Nov 05, 2015 10:22pm

A sane decision to keep him ODI series. Azhar needs a senior person to support him.

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Nov 05, 2015 10:29pm

With Azhar Ali in poor form and no Misbah in middle order, you need Younis Khan just for his experience. Runs are not the only contribution in victory, strategy on the field also plays a huge role and this is where seniors like YK can be best used.

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Adil

Nov 05, 2015 10:45pm

It's always hard for a player to perform when the team management is not supportive... when you're thinking one mistake and you will be kicked out again. Give Younis 3-4 good games and that will decide once and for all if he can perform. I thought he was treated shabily in the world cup, sending him to open was a foley. He formed a good partnership with Sarfraz against the toughest opponents - South Africa to lay the foundation for victory - that big turn around for Pakistan in the rest of the tournament... and was dropped in next 'easier' games.

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Adil

Nov 05, 2015 10:53pm

With Misbah out of the team, we DO need a senior in the middle order and Younis has a role to play. There are plenty of positions available for youngsters, who groom around seniors. Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq have both groomed around Younis Khan, and who knew Azhar would perform well in ODI, when he had the slowest run rate among the Pakistani batsmen in tests. Similar backing should be given to YK. Remember, we have been winning the last couple of series on flatest pitches against ZIMBABWE, who were beaten by Afghanistan after the Pakistan tour. Don't be fooled by lofty performances of those matches.

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Sandeep Kumar

Nov 05, 2015 11:19pm

shahzad,ali,younis.hafeez,malik....this will be the top 5...each of them have strike rate in 70s....pathetic really...they will destroy azam career like this like they did to sami aslam who was dropped after one odi with no reason at all.....

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Shahid

Nov 05, 2015 11:25pm

@Adil Finally a sane voice on here. It seems as usual there is a Pakistani obessesion with flash in the pan players. Four, two and out. Old Afridi mentality hasn't gone. Looks good for a mili second but then the walk back to the pavilion seems longer than the innings. Who is actually more responsible than YK out of any of the batsmen and can occupy the crease for more than 20 overs? There is nobody, they simply don't have the temperament or skill. People need to get off the high horse thinking good solid players are slowing the team down. Its Pakistans inability to find good batsmen like YK that is the issue in their game, not the other way around. A man who has over 9000 runs in around 100 tests doesnt need to justify anything. Simple as that.

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iqbal

Nov 05, 2015 11:28pm

shameful to see people criticizing the great Younis Khan for wanting to play ODIs. Let the legend play, its not like Pakistan has achieved success in ODIs the last couple of yrs if anything we have slipped considerably in ODI rankings w/o him.

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Aurangzeb

Nov 05, 2015 11:42pm

He is good but not for ODI.

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Shakeel Ahmed

Nov 05, 2015 11:50pm

Azhar and Younis are great anchor batsmen when others around them get swatted like flies. Younis is also a great slip catcher, absolutely essential with fast bowlers and Yasir Shah. Again, I see a lot of Younis bashers. Soon you will be proved wrong and will be looking for the nearest cliff edge.

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yomama

Nov 06, 2015 01:29am

@Shahid why does anyone need to occupy for so many overs. creates pressure.........

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shabut

Nov 06, 2015 01:40am

I just don't understand the logic nor I understand Younis Khan's mind. He needs to accept the reality that he is a spent force in the short format so let the junior players come in.

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anony

Nov 06, 2015 02:37am

Excellent decision.

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ali

Nov 06, 2015 02:53am

Not a good decision. What's next 20/20. He struggle against fast bowling. His foot work is so painful to watch. Excellent player of spin bowling. That's the only thing I don't like in Younis, he just don't realize that it's time to quit

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Vorshal

Nov 06, 2015 06:19am

Pakistan is not playing in England. Younis Khan is not a player suited for ODIs. He may prove to be a liability of a sort.

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IRK

Nov 06, 2015 06:47am

Pathetic decisions as always

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imran

Nov 06, 2015 07:01am

Pakistan players odi strike rate. Azhar 75 Shahzad 72 Hafeez 74 Younis 75 Malik 80 With this strike rate Pakistan avg score will be between 225 to 250. Good luck..

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Lumboobhai

Nov 06, 2015 09:01am

It is very simple.Limited overs game of cricket is suitable for younger players.

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Obi kanobi

Nov 06, 2015 10:08am

We saw in the last World Cup 300 was a par score which means a SR of 100. How many of our batsmen have similar SR? SR in the 70's means you are only going to get a score of 210-240 which will only win you a match in a blue moon. Having a good average without healthy SR only works in test cricket nowadays. England have improved significantly since their dismal showing in the WC and should not be taken lightly just because of our test series win. Giving YK last chance saloon in ODI's shows our batting vulnerability against quality fast bowling. As good a player as Younis is in tests if you wanted someone to hold up one end and accelerate in the last few overs I would entice Misbah to come back from retirement. Tuk tuk has shown that he can still change gears.

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RAO ABID

Nov 06, 2015 10:49am

GOOD DECISION....he is deserving player for ODI because he is performed well in test and pakistan domestic cricket.... on the other hand younis khan should take responsibility like misbah and azhar...over all good sign

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effy

Nov 06, 2015 02:30pm

He's gonna play at number 3 in all 4 matches and if he manages to score a 30 in at least one of the game. That will be his ticket for the next series.

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Salman

Nov 07, 2015 08:28pm

What else does he need to prove? How did inzi perform in world cup? What was yousuf doing in world cup disasters? Was misbah, a treat to watch? The only weakness is that he is from a smaller province......

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