Misbah, Smith praise ‘world class’ Younis after ton

DUBAI: Rival captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Graeme Smith hailed Younis Khan’s brilliant hundred which helped Pakistan salvage a fighting draw in the first Test here on Tuesday.

Younis, 32, remained unbeaten on 131 to guide Pakistan to safety on the fifth and final day at the Dubai Stadium after they were set a daunting 451-run target. Pakistan finished on 343-3.

Misbah, who himself scored 76 not out and shared a new Pakistan-South Africa series record of 186 for the unfinished fourth wicket, said Younis saved the day for his team.

“Younis is a world class player and he proved his worth with a fighting knock,” said Misbah of Younis who was playing his first Test since July last year after being sidelined because of an indefinite ban and a fall-out with team-mates.

“He (Younis) is a wonderful team man and his knock helped us draw this Test, also giving us

Waqar Younis Showing Satisfaction on Improved Batting

Coach of Pakistan team and former fast bowler Waqar Younis said that he is satisfied with improvement in batting of Pakistan team. He was very happy after thrilling victory of Pakistan in the fourth ODI. Pakistan won the fourth ODI on the second last ball of the inning. The series in now leveled with 2-2.

He also gave credit to Pakistan bowlers for restricting South Africa from scoring too many runs. SA was eying to score more then 300 runs. It was bowling of Pakistan who restricted them to 275 runs. J Botha played a little cameo to help SA reaching 275 runs.

Waqar said that every thing worked according to plan and batsmen controlled the run rate for Pakistan. Run Rate remained under six runs per over and it was tail enders who performed well once again. There was also no collapse from Pakistan side.

He also highlighted the fact that Pakistan went to play full 50 over quota. He also praised Younis Khan Inning and said that it was wonderful to watch. He batted sensibly and rotates the strikes to put pressure of from team. He avoided blaming any SA bowler for conceding too many runs. He also hope for good performance from Pakistan side in Monday’s decider.

PCB includes Younis for South Africa series

KARACHI: Pakistan’s former captain and senior batsman Younis Khan has been called up for the series against South Africa in the UAE which starts later this month.

Chief selector Mohsin Khan told a news conference on Wednesday that Younis had been included in place of Mohammad Yousuf who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

“Younis will join the national training camp from today and will be part of the one-day and test squads,” Mohsin said.

Younis’s comeback was made possible after he met Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt on Wednesday in Lahore.

The talks broke the ice after Butt was not considered for selection for the Asia Cup and England tour and was initially left out of the squad for the South Africa series.

The PCB chairman had not given clearance for Younis to be considered for national selection since he last

Butt to return home after ICC meeting

Staff Report

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ijaz Butt is scheduled to return from Dubai where he represented Pakistan at ICC Board meeting.

He is expected to release an important statement in wake of the 30-day deadline given by ICC to Pakistan regarding removal of corruption in domestic cricket.

In addition, former skipper Younis Khan is likely to meet the PCB chief. SAMAA

PCB to serve second notice to Younis

Staff Report

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to serve another notice to former skipper Younis Khan.

According to sources, the second notice will be a binding on Younis to respond to the charges against him.

“If Younis Khan did not contact the cricket board, he would be served a show cause notice,” it said.

The stylish batsman was among seven players who were banned or fined by the PCB for various reasons following the dismal tour of Australia early this year. SAMAA

Pakistani charged with unwittingly funding NY bomb plot

A man in New York was arrested and charged with running an illegal business that helped fund the attempted Times Square bombing earlier this year.
According to details, Mohammad Younis was accused of passing on thousands of dollars to Faisal Shahzad in a bid to bomb Times Square on May 1. Prosecutors said they had no indication that Younis knew the money would be involved in preparations for the bombing.
Younis pleaded not guilty in federal court in Manhattan to charges of conducting an unlicensed money-transmitting business and of conspiracy. He faces a maximum of five years in prison on each charge.
It is pertinent to mention here that Younis was released after the hearing on the condition that he post a $100,000 bond by Sept. 22.

Butt, Afridi to decide Younis Khan’s future

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ejaz Butt has summoned one-day captain Shahid Afridi for a meeting on Monday to decide on the future of former skipper Younis Khan.

Well-informed sources in the Pakistan Cricket board told that Afridi had been called for for a one-on-one meeting with Butt to discuss the forthcoming ODI series in England.

“There are clear indications that in the meeting, it will be decided if Younis Khan should be considered for the ODI series in England,” one source said.

He said Afridi and Butt’s August 23 meeting carries huge significance, especially in the context that the national selectors will be finalising the squad for ODIs and Twenty20 matches in England the next day.

Incidentally, there have been reliable reports that due to pressure from the top, the PCB Chairman has already indicated to the selectors that they

Yousuf may be called for series against England

LEEDS: Pakistan cricket team’s assistant coach Ijaz Ahmed indicated that Mohammad Yousuf may be included in the team for the Test series against England.

While talking with media here at Headingley on Monday, Ijaz revealed that the team management is considering Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan for replacing Shahid Afridi, who has retired from Test cricket. However, he said that final decision in this regard would be made after two days.

Ijaz Ahmed said that Yousuf is likely to be included soon in the team but he did not give his final comment regarding Younis’s inclusion.

He said that the player who joins the team would be included in the series against England but this is not possible to include Yousuf or Younis in the team for the final Test against Australia.

Replying to a question, Ijaz expressed hope that Salman Butt as captain would discharge his duties very well.

Waqar misses Yusuf, Younis in team

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket team coach Waqar Younis said missing senior players Yusuf and Younis unfortunate for Pakistan team.

In an interview, Waqar said Pakistan will miss Yusuf and Younis in Test matches against England and Australia because both are experienced players. It is unfortunate that both players could not be a part of playing squad despite several efforts.

Waqar expressed confidence on young players and said he is expecting positive results from them also in Test matches.

Politics in team not be put up with: Afridi

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket team captain, Shahid Afridi has said he has made it clear to Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afidi that he will not tolerate any attempt to spoil to the atmosphere of the dressing room while coach Waqar Younis said the players were kept away from media to avert disputes.

At a press conference in Gadafi Stadium here, Waqar Younis had to face some tough questions but he replied to them in a calm and composed manner.

He said the players are responsible for when they come and what they do but as far as their accommodation is concerned the board it is the board’s responsibility. “What the players do at night is certainly not my responsibility,” he asserted.

Waqar Younis said the damage caused to the team over the past two-three months is much more compared to what the team lost during the last 20 years.

Shahid Afridi also answered to the piercing questions in a confident manner. He also appeared unhappy with the role of the media. He reiterated that he would not tolerate any attempt aimed at spoiling the atmosphere of the dressing room. “I have made it clear to Shoaib Akhter that the atmosphere of the dressing room is no longer they way it used to be,” he said.

Waqar Younis said Younis and Shoaib are big players but he sees the new players as the beacon of Pakistan’s future.

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