Younis Khan eyes Pakistan ODI team comeback

Records tumble as Younis Khan became third Pakistan player to notch up 8000 Test runs

Pakistan’s record-breaking Test batsman Younis Khan is determined to make a comeback to the One-Day International (ODI) team, despite being ignored by the national selectors since the ICC World Cup 2015. Younis Khan’s last match in coloured clothing was against the Proteas during the World Cup Pool B match in Auckland, on 7th March, 2015.

"I am ready to play one-day cricket. I know I can prove myself and be as successful as in tests if given a proper chance," Younis said to PTI.

Though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) heaped accolades on the former captain and senior batsman after he surpassed Javed Miandad's long-standing record of 8,882 Test runs, they are not looking to draft Khan into the team.

Last month, Pakistan cricket chief selector Haroon Rasheed had said doors for out-of favour players such as Younis Khan and Saeed Ajmal were still open, and they could be called up if the team needs them. Rasheed said he had huge respect for these two players for their great contributions, but added that at this point in time, their inclusion in the ODI squad was not appropriate.

In the three ODI matches that Khan played during the World Cup, he scored 6, 0 and 37 respectively. His poor form could have been the reason why PCB decided to drop him from the ODI squad.

The PCB, however, congratulated Younis on his achievement with chairman Shaharyar Khan appreciating his services. "Younis Khan has been an excellent ambassador of Pakistan cricket. The number of records he has set in the recent past is something we as a nation can take great pride in. He is the only Pakistani batsman to score centuries against every Test playing nation and I congratulate him on rewriting the record books. It was a mountain that none has been able to climb since Miandad played his last innings in December 1993,” Shaharyar Khan said.

In recent times Younis has minced no words in making his frustration clear at not being selected for one-day matches. Recently, the 37-year-old was clearly offended when the PCB didn't invite him for the logo launch ceremony of the Pakistan Super League in Lahore.

Younis chose to come on national television and publicly express his displeasure and hurt at this rejection from the board, despite having captained the national side that won the 2009 World T20 Cup in England. His public disclosure forced the PCB to quietly acknowledge their mistake and apologise for not sending a proper invitation to Younis.

Another incident had infuriated Younis Khan when some former greats like Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja advised him to quit one-day cricket and focus on test matches. "After 15 years of international cricket I don't need anyone to tell me what I should be doing," the batsman from Mardan had retorted.

His ally and mentor Rashid Latif believes that Younis has suffered because of his straight forward approach. "Even I advised him before the World Cup it is best he quit one-day cricket but he has his own mind and he is convinced he can still contribute in 50-overs cricket," Latif said.

On Monday, Younis went ahead and declared his interest in coming back to the ODI team. Now it remains to be seen if he will be actually incorporated.