‘Should a player like me shoot myself?’

Michael Clarke says he won't rush back for the ODI series against Pakistan as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
Younis Khan’s tirade is sure to have displeased the Pakistan Cricket Board. Source: AFP
DISGRUNTLED Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has launched an extraordinary tirade after being dropped from the one-day side to take on Australia, daring selectors not to pick him for the Test team either.
Next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is due to be held in February, and the 36-year-old is unlikely to be picked given his poor form in limited overs in recent years.
But he remains Pakistan’s best middle-order batsman in Tests, where his absence could seriously hurt the team’s chances against Australia and New Zealand in upcoming series.
“Don’t select me, not even in Tests. I sacrifice my future,” Younis told reporters in Karachi, questioning why the line-up was being altered with just months to go before the World Cup.
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Younis Khan is crucial to Pakistan’s hopes in the Test arena. Source: Getty Images
“If we wanted to rebuild the team then (the) World Cup was held four years ago, why are we rebuilding this in the last three to four months?”
Younis said experienced players like himself were mistreated by the selectors.
“I came back and then suddenly they said for me, or for players like me, that we have no future. Then who has a future? So a player like me should shoot himself, should we abandon playing cricket?” he asked.
“They have hurt me, if you say that I am not in future planning then it hurts. I am fit and I am committed. If they had told me that (last month’s) Sri Lanka series is your last then I would have left with respect.”
He also cited the examples of Javed Miandad, Mohammed Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq as past greats who were forced out of the team unceremoniously.
“Don’t let everyone be treated in a similar manner, those who have raised the flag of this country, don’t disrespect them otherwise no youngster will play for Pakistan.”
Khan gave Pakistan’s selectors plenty to think about. Source: Getty Images
The stylish right-hander, who averages over 51 in Tests with 24 centuries to his name, has seen turmoil in the past and has a reputation for his outspoken comments.
In 2006 he refused to stand in for then-injured skipper, Inzamam-ul-Haq, saying he did not want to be a “dummy captain”.
He led the team to World T20 glory in 2009, lost the captaincy, and later refused to take it back when offered.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it would consider what action to take over Younis’s statement.
“We have taken notice of his media talk and we are in the process of getting the entire transcript, whatever action will be taken it will be under the terms of the players’ central contract,” a PCB spokesman said.
Originally published as ‘Should a player like me shoot myself?’
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