Yousuf hands over Lahore captaincy to Hafeez
The LCCA president rejected claims that Yousuf had taken the decision after coming under pressure from certain quarters of the PCB. -File photo
LAHORE: Veteran batsman Mohammad Yousuf on Saturday stepped down as captain of Lahore Lions in favour of Pakistan’s Twenty20 skipper Mohammad Hafeez in the ongoing National T20 Cup.
According to the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) President, Khawaja Nadim Ahmed, the decision was taken by Yousuf of his own free will and reports about the ageing star being pressured into it were baseless.
“It was a big gesture by Yousuf and he stepped down as captain on the pretext that Hafeez was the Pakistan captain and therefore the right choice to lead Lahore Lions in the T20 tournament,” Ahmed said.
He said Yousuf had a meeting with Hafeez and conveyed his decision to him.
“Hafeez initially did not agree to it but Yousuf convinced him.”
Hafeez, who was appointed Pakistan’s T20 captain in May this year, was surprisingly snubbed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the role originally but right before the start of Lions’ first match against Karachi Zebras at Gaddafi Stadium, Yousuf announced his decision.
The LCCA president rejected claims that Yousuf had taken the decision after coming under pressure from certain quarters of the PCB.
“It has nothing to with PCB and this is the personal decision of Yousuf,” he added.
Eitherway…a good move and gesture!
Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar have bee playing cricket regularly. They recently scored centuries in their domestic tournaments, yet when playing cricket at the highest level, they both struggled. Why does Mr.Yousuf think he will star for Pakistan?!
He has not played for the last two years. He is not even fit. Has not been involved in any sporting activity. He is in his late thirties.Most of his career he has been political and always complaining about everything. Even when he was a couple of years younger, he was a liability in the field. A few years older now, physically inactive, what is he going to contribute to Pakistan cricket..
Yea ,Yea sure ,, I can hear people saying he is experianced and can absorb pressure and all the blah blah..but is that what Pakistan really need rite now.?
You are absoluteltly right Ak . I have great respect for Yousuf as a batsman when he was at his peak but now I think he will be a big liability. Yousuf should understand this and let a youngster get his rightful place. I would rather prefer Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq or even a new cap than Yousuf trying one more time!