Beleaguered Pakistanis send SOs to Younis Khan

Pakistan team management in Australia has requested the national selection committee to rush Younis Khan as reinforcement for the Test series underway Down Under.

Pakistan team management in Australia has requested the national selection committee to rush Younis Khan as reinforcement for the Test series underway Down Under.

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Chief selector Iqbal Qasim said coach Intikhab Alam and captain Mohammad Yousuf have called him up and requested to send Younis as soon as possible to Australia as they felt his experience was required in the batting order.

“But they spoke to me on telephone and any official request to send a replacement player has to come through the Chairman of the Board. Until then we cannot move forward,” Qasim said. Pakistan were shot out for 258 in first innings of the Melbourne Test. Sources said the selectors, however, were not keen on sending Younis at this stage.

“Younus himself had taken a break from international cricket last month because he wanted to overcome his poor form and take rest. He also didn't get any runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final played last week in Karachi,” the source said. “The selectors believe the best way for Younis is to play in the first round of the Pentangular Cup from Jan 1 and get some runs before he joins the team in Australia,” the source said.