Shaharyar disappointed over Younis' retirement decision

Published November 12, 2015
Shaharyar confirmed that PCB would arrange a suitable farewell for Younis. — AFP/File
Shaharyar confirmed that PCB would arrange a suitable farewell for Younis. — AFP/File

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan criticised Younis Khan’s decision to announce retirement from one-day internationals, only one match into his come-back to the ODI side.

Younis made the announcement on the morning of the first ODI against England at Abu Dhabi having criticised selectors for dropping him from the national ODI side after Pakistan’s World Cup exit.

He managed nine runs in his 265th and final appearance during Pakistan's run-chase at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, ending a 15-year career in the shorter format that had begun against Sri Lanka at Karachi in March 2000.

Know more: Younis Khan, the man in a glass cage

However, Shaharyar was disappointed by Younis' actions.

"I am disappointed at not only his decision to retire from ODIs but also the timing of his decision," he told NDTV.

"Younis has been doing well and that is why the selectors felt he should be played again in the one-day matches. For me it is surprising he announced his retirement today."

Shaharyar, however, confirmed that the PCB would arrange a suitable farewell for Younis who has scored 7249 runs in ODIs at 31.24, with seven centuries, albeit just the one since 2008.

Younis Khan: Humble record-breaker has left little room for doubt

Pakistan's chief selector, Haroon Rasheed also expressed his bewilderment at Younis' decision.

"When I went to Sharjah to meet with the team management I also talked to Younis, he gave me no indication he was planning to retire from ODIs after the first match of the series," Haroon said.

"We picked him keeping in mind that we needed an experienced batsman in the middle order to stabilise the batting. We picked him keeping in mind our future assignments. He never discussed this retirement thing with us."

"The team will remain balanced but at no stage did Younis convey any desire to us he wanted to retire," he added.

Mohsin Khan, the former coach, guessed that Waqar Younis's unwillingness to have Younis back in the one-day squad may have been an important factor behind Younis’ decision.

"It makes no sense that after being picked for the full series in the one-day squad after such a big gap he should decide to retire after playing the first match. Definitely I think something has happened in the last 48 or 24 hours to have upset Younis who is very sensitive and a self-respecting individual," Mohsin told Geo Super channel.

"I think the job of the captain, manager and coach is to not only motivate the players but also make them feel comfortable and wanted. I think in Younis's case this didn't happen and no one tried to speak to him to find out his feelings."

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