Yousuf still keen to play for Pakistan
24 May 2012 7:23 PM GMT
Despite being ignored once again by the selectors for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammad Yousuf has said that he has not given up hope on making a comeback to Test cricket.
'I want to complete the milestone of playing 100 Tests.There are so many players still active on the international circuit who have played 100 Tests. I have just played 90. I am not disappointed nor have I given up,' Yousuf told reporters here.
Yousuf, 37, who has scored 7530 Test runs at an average of 52, has not been picked since his last appearance for Pakistan against South Africa in the UAE in November, 2010.
The selectors have insisted that Yousuf, who has become heavily involved in religion and frequently gives sermons in mosques and goes on preaching tours, needs to first play domestic cricket regularly and prove his form and fitness to warrant consideration for the national team.
Yousuf said he was expecting a recall to the Test side for the Sri Lanka tour as he had spent a lot of time in the nets and also underwent a fitness test under the supervision of new coach, Dav Whatmore.
'I was expecting a recall at least for the Tests but it has not come. I'm not disappointed nor have I given up. My ambition is to play 100 Tests like many other greats and I will continue to work hard for that,' he said.
From Pakistan only Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Salim Malik have played 100 or more tests.
'I want to complete the milestone of playing 100 Tests.There are so many players still active on the international circuit who have played 100 Tests. I have just played 90. I am not disappointed nor have I given up,' Yousuf told reporters here.
Yousuf, 37, who has scored 7530 Test runs at an average of 52, has not been picked since his last appearance for Pakistan against South Africa in the UAE in November, 2010.
The selectors have insisted that Yousuf, who has become heavily involved in religion and frequently gives sermons in mosques and goes on preaching tours, needs to first play domestic cricket regularly and prove his form and fitness to warrant consideration for the national team.
Yousuf said he was expecting a recall to the Test side for the Sri Lanka tour as he had spent a lot of time in the nets and also underwent a fitness test under the supervision of new coach, Dav Whatmore.
'I was expecting a recall at least for the Tests but it has not come. I'm not disappointed nor have I given up. My ambition is to play 100 Tests like many other greats and I will continue to work hard for that,' he said.
From Pakistan only Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Salim Malik have played 100 or more tests.
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