Speaking with PakPassion, Mohammed Yousuf discusses his ban and feels that the series against South Africa is a remote possibility.

by Saj Sadiq

June 3rd 2010

 

Whilst some of his former team mates who were punished in the aftermath of the tour of Australia, have had some good news this week regarding their futures, Mohammad Yousuf remains in the cricketing wilderness.

Not only are supporters and fans of Yousuf confused about his future, but Yousuf himself seems to be going through mental turmoil surrounding his future and whether he will be wearing the green cap again.

Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, Yousuf who did not appeal against the punishment handed to him by the Pakistan Cricket Board and subsequently retired from international cricket, feels that the decision on whether he will play for Pakistan again is one that is down to him despite previously being quoted as leaving his future to his elders.

"My elders have said to me that my cricketing future is not a decision they can make on my behalf. It is a decision that I need to make myself".

Yousuf confirmed that he had spoken to Shahid Afridi about making a comeback but as yet was undecided about when he will definitely be making a comeback, although he refused to rule himself out of the series in the UAE against South Africa in October.

"I am not sure when I will be ready for international cricket. The South Africa series is a possibility and I won't rule myself out of that series, but of course things are not always that simple. I need to have a long and hard think about things and then come to a decision".

Yousuf who has represented Pakistan on 371 occasions further added that the reduction of punishments following appeals for Rana Naved ul Hasan and Shoaib Malik had not left him with any regrets regarding not appealing.

"I have done nothing wrong, I still don't know why I am being punished like this".

In addition Yousuf refused to confirm or deny whether he would be prepared to sit down and talk with PCB representatives to iron out any differences and recommence his international career.

"I'm not sure yet if I will sit down and talk about my future, but of course this may be the way forward, we will have to see".

Both Shoaib Malik's and Rana Naved ul Hasan's bans have been lifted and their respective fines halved upon appeal. However Yousuf's circumstances are complicated by the fact that he did not appeal by the April 16th and it remains to be seen whether the player and the PCB can resolve their differences, resulting in the player resuming the final stages of his international career.