In the aftermath of the PCB's reported banning and un-banning of Mohammad Yousuf, PakPassion.net has learnt that the former Pakistan captain is distraught and considering retirement.

By: Saj Sadiq

10 March, 2010

Despite the ban imposed by the PCB only being discretionary and not for life as has been reported, close friends of Mohammad Yousuf speaking to PakPassion.net stated that the former captain was "distraught, tearful and almost speechless at the decision by the Board".

"All he wants to know is what he has done wrong. He has had no official correspondence from the Board or even a telephone call to explain where he has erred and has just heard about the punishment in the media. This is not the way to treat a Pakistani cricketing legend and someone who has served his country with dignity over the years".

Yousuf, who has played 88 Tests and scored 7,431 runs at a very impressive career average of 53, is Pakistan's third-highest Test run-scorer ever. He recently stepped in to lead Pakistan in a troubled tour of New Zealand and Australia was severely criticised for the team's defeat in the Sydney Test.

The punishment served on him by the PCB is allegedly due to in fighting between him and fellow players in Australia although PakPassion.net has learnt that the troubles were present well before the Australian tour.

Yousuf's close associate continued "Yousuf is contemplating retirement with immediate effect, but we are trying to talk him out of it. At the moment he is very confused with this situation and hopefully things may improve and become clearer soon".

Yousuf is considered by many to be one of Pakistan leading Test bats, and holds the record for most runs in a calendar year in the history of Test cricket. He also has an impressive ODI record, with 9,624 runs at an average of 42.4. His and Younis' names literally appeared out of the blue after recommendations by the committee responsible for investigating the debacle in Australia were sent to the PCB and subsequently accepted and imposed by the Board.