ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recalled former captain Younis Khan for the series against South Africa on Wednesday while Mohammad Yousuf was ruled out of the Twenty20s and one-day internationals after rupturing his abductor muscles.
Younis received an indefinite ban in March from the Pakistan Cricket Board for conflicting with Yousuf during the ill-fated tour of Australia at the start of the year.
A PCB arbitrator lifted the ban in June, and manager Intikhab Alam said on Wednesday that Younis resolved all outstanding issues during a meeting with PCB chairman Ijaz Butt.
“It's very good news that Younis is back,” Alam said. “I am happy that all the issues are resolved and he is available for Pakistan.”
Younis retired from Twenty20s after guiding Pakistan to victory in the World Twenty20 in England last year. But Alam said Younis' experience in ODIs and tests will help the team a lot against South Africa.
“He is an experienced player and he would definitely strengthen the team,” Alam said.
Younis has averaged 50 in 63 tests since 2000, and has 16 centuries.
Yousuf was advised to rest his injury for at least two weeks. If the prolific batsman recovered, he might play in the two tests against South Africa next month in the United Arab Emirates.
“If Yousuf passes fitness test before the test series he will join the team,” Alam said.
Pakistan team leaves for the UAE on Saturday, and the series including two Twenty20s and five ODIs begins with a Twenty20 on Tuesday.
Pakistan has to play its 'home' series at a neutral venue due to security concerns after gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka convoy at Lahore last year, killing six police officials and a van driver and wounding several of the team Pakistan will be without Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir who were suspended by the International Cricket Council after a British tabloid accused them of accepting money for bowling predetermined no-balls against England during the Lord's test.
All three players have appealed against the suspensions, and their hearing will be held at Doha, Qatar next week.
Alam said the team has to move forward from all the controversies.
“We have to look forward as South Africa is a very tough team,” he said.
Pakistan has a poor test record against South Africa in seven series. It has won just one test series _ in 1998 _ lost five and drawn one.
Alam believed he had enough bowling resources to bowl out South Africa twice in a test, but his main worry was the unpredictable batting lineup.
“Batting has been our main problem for quite some time, but if our batsmen played five-six sessions in a test match, we have the bowling to restrict the South Africans,” he said.
“Experienced players have to take responsibility and put enough runs on board for the bowlers to defend.”
Alam said players have to observe discipline both on and off the field in order to beat the Proteas.
“Discipline is key for any success,” he said.
“Team discipline and game discipline are both vital and the players have already been told about this.”
All the players have been briefed about a strict code of conduct they must sign before the team leaves for UAE.
Younis received an indefinite ban in March from the Pakistan Cricket Board for conflicting with Yousuf during the ill-fated tour of Australia at the start of the year.
A PCB arbitrator lifted the ban in June, and manager Intikhab Alam said on Wednesday that Younis resolved all outstanding issues during a meeting with PCB chairman Ijaz Butt.
“It's very good news that Younis is back,” Alam said. “I am happy that all the issues are resolved and he is available for Pakistan.”
Younis retired from Twenty20s after guiding Pakistan to victory in the World Twenty20 in England last year. But Alam said Younis' experience in ODIs and tests will help the team a lot against South Africa.
“He is an experienced player and he would definitely strengthen the team,” Alam said.
Younis has averaged 50 in 63 tests since 2000, and has 16 centuries.
Yousuf was advised to rest his injury for at least two weeks. If the prolific batsman recovered, he might play in the two tests against South Africa next month in the United Arab Emirates.
“If Yousuf passes fitness test before the test series he will join the team,” Alam said.
Pakistan team leaves for the UAE on Saturday, and the series including two Twenty20s and five ODIs begins with a Twenty20 on Tuesday.
Pakistan has to play its 'home' series at a neutral venue due to security concerns after gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka convoy at Lahore last year, killing six police officials and a van driver and wounding several of the team Pakistan will be without Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir who were suspended by the International Cricket Council after a British tabloid accused them of accepting money for bowling predetermined no-balls against England during the Lord's test.
All three players have appealed against the suspensions, and their hearing will be held at Doha, Qatar next week.
Alam said the team has to move forward from all the controversies.
“We have to look forward as South Africa is a very tough team,” he said.
Pakistan has a poor test record against South Africa in seven series. It has won just one test series _ in 1998 _ lost five and drawn one.
Alam believed he had enough bowling resources to bowl out South Africa twice in a test, but his main worry was the unpredictable batting lineup.
“Batting has been our main problem for quite some time, but if our batsmen played five-six sessions in a test match, we have the bowling to restrict the South Africans,” he said.
“Experienced players have to take responsibility and put enough runs on board for the bowlers to defend.”
Alam said players have to observe discipline both on and off the field in order to beat the Proteas.
“Discipline is key for any success,” he said.
“Team discipline and game discipline are both vital and the players have already been told about this.”
All the players have been briefed about a strict code of conduct they must sign before the team leaves for UAE.
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