In exclusive remarks to PakPassion.net, Yousuf expressed his delight at being given the honour of representing Lahore again and spoke of the importance of his comeback and its possible effects on the chances of making a return for Pakistan. 

By Amir Husain (22nd November 2012)

On 8th November 2010 and on a typically clear and sunny day in Dubai, Mohammed Yusuf walked out to bat against South Africa in the last game of the series between Pakistan and South Africa. Considered by many as the future “man of crisis” for his national team, the then 36 year old Yousuf lasted just 5 deliveries before departing with a lowly 3 runs to his name. This was also Yousuf's last game for Pakistan.

With an illustrious career which has included 90 Tests at an impressive batting average of 52.29 and 288 ODIs at an average of 41.71, many have wondered why a batsman of his pedigree could ever be overlooked by Pakistan – especially given the scarcity of match winning talent available to the selectors at the moment.

Whatever the reasons behind his exile from International cricket, it would seem that the Gods of Cricket are now smiling back on Yousuf as his career has been handed a second lease of life with the news that, the Lahore Region Cricket Association (LRCA) has asked him to lead the Lahore Lions in the upcoming domestic T20 tournament to be held in Karachi.

In exclusive remarks to PakPassion.net, Yousuf expressed his delight at being given the honour of representing Lahore again and spoke of the importance of his comeback and its possible effects on the chances of making a return for Pakistan. 

For a person who was considered a guaranteed pick for any Pakistan team for large parts of his career, the fall from grace where he was ignored by selectors on one pretext or another would have been a tough one to take. However, Yousuf is not looking at the past but concentrating on what lies ahead as he makes a high profile appearance for the Lahore Lions

“I'm delighted to be playing domestic cricket in Pakistan again. It's been a long break and I am raring to go. I'm excited at the thought of playing in the upcoming domestic T20 tournament in Karachi in front of the local crowds. Twenty/20 cricket in Pakistan is very popular and playing in front of big crowds and passionate fans always brings the best out of players irrespective of how long they have been playing and I am no different.”

Supporters of Lahore Lions must be overjoyed to have a batsman of such a high international caliber amongst their ranks but Yousuf is clear that the team is not about “him” and that he sees a lot of potential amongst his team mates to go all the way and lift the trophy on December 10th.

“I don't see myself as the "prize" wicket in the upcoming tournament. There are a number of high quality batsmen taking part in the tournament, I will just try and do my best for the Lahore Lions. We have a nice balance in the team. I never go into matches or tournaments making predictions, but there is a nice blend of youth and experience and if we perform to the best of our ability then we could do very well in the competition. Twenty/20 cricket is difficult to predict, one innings or one spell of bowling can turn the match on its head and I'm sure all of the teams will go into the tournament with high hopes.”

Turning his attention to his personal form and preparation for the upcoming tournament and a possible return to international cricket, Yousuf insisted that he was in good shape to play in a format which requires a high degree of physical commitment and that his batting skills were being kept upto date with regular practice, stating that “Whilst I've not been playing first class cricket in the ongoing Presidents Trophy, I have been playing club cricket in Lahore as well as doing a lot of gym work to maintain my levels of fitness. In addition I have been going to the National Cricket Academy on a regular basis to work on my batting with the coaches at the NCA.”

The return to International cricket is a subject foremost on Yousuf’s mind and it must have been frustrating to not be able to play in the country’s premier 4 day tournament – the President’s trophy. Yousuf, while expressing his obvious disappointment on this subject, continues to be upbeat about his future prospects and a return to international cricket.

“Missing out on the President's Trophy was disappointing but these things happen and there is no point in worrying about that. It would have been good to play some 4 day cricket but it wasn't meant to be and there is nothing I can do about it. As far as my appetite for top class cricket is concerned – it has never diminished. I still want to play cricket at the highest level, as much as I always have wanted to. As far as a return to international cricket is concerned ahead of the series in India and then South Africa, I'm not even thinking about it. That is down to the selectors, the most important thing is to get some domestic cricket under my belt and make some runs. The rest is out of my hands”

Given the crisis of confidence that exists regarding the state of Pakistani batting, it would appear a clear folly to ignore a batsman of Yousuf 's quality but with the likes of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq starting to stamp their authority on the middle order in Test matches, Yousuf may well find that the road back to international cricket will not be an easy one. For the moment, as he insists, the focus is on the near term.

The Domestic T20 tournament is scheduled to commence in Karachi on 2nd Decemeber with the final to be held on 10th December.

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