Reports: Younis Khan to quit ODI cricket after World Cup

Younis Khan

According to sources in the Press Trust of India, senior Pakistan batsman Younis Khan is likely to retire from the 50-over format of the game, following his side’s upcoming World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand.

A source close to the 37-year-old said that he was desperate to be part of the side for the mega event and he intends to make way for younger players, following the quadrennial event down under.

"When the selectors dropped him for the one-dayers against Australia, he forced his way back into the ODI side but decided to put his announcement on hold. But he has mentally prepared himself to only play Test cricket after the World Cup.

"But he has already made up his mind that after the World Cup he will announce his retirement from one-day internationals to give the new and younger players a chance,” the source said.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and all-rounder Shahid Afridi have already announced that the event will be the last time they put on the national colours in the 50-over format. An unnamed board official added that the retirement of the trio will give current head coach Waqar Younus and the rest of the support staff a chance to build a side for the future.

"If Younis also retires it means it will pave the way for head coach, Waqar Younis and the cricket board to build a new one-day team under a new captain for which Sohaib Maqsood and Asad Shafiq are front runners,” the PCB insider said.

Younis has represented Pakistan in 259 ODI games and has scored 7177 runs at an average of 31.75. His best score of 144 came in the 2004 Asia Cup against Hong Kong.