KARACHI, Nov 3: Saleem Jaffer, chairman of the PCB’s interim national selection committee, expressed his dismay at Mohammad Yousuf’s hurried and shocking decision to join the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) after the 34-year-old seasoned batsman was named in the Pakistan squad to play the West Indies in a one-day series in Abu Dhabi later this month.

Yousuf, who otherwise was an automatic selection for both one-dayers and the Tests, turned his back on Pakistan cricket when his wife confirmed on Monday that the veteran right-hander had flown to India to play in the second edition of the ICL, a league which is not recognised by the game’s governing body the International Cricket Council.

Saleem, who announced the 15-man squad in Islamabad, was disappointed when he was informed by a senior Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official on Monday afternoon that Yousuf had gone to India to represent Lahore Badshahs, a team which is being led by former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq.

“Of course, we were disappointed by this unexpected development. Yousuf was an integral part of our team and we had included him in the squad for the Abu Dhabi series [against the West Indies]. But he chose to play in the ICL rather than representing his country,” Saleem told Dawn.

The chief selector admitted that a player of Yousuf’s calibre will be sorely missed, especially in Test cricket with the home series against India a couple of months away.

“Nobody can doubt his [Yousuf’s] standing as one of the finest batsmen produced by Pakistan. But the way he took this hasty decision is very, very disappointing. He should have discussed the issue with the PCB officials before taking a decision,” Saleem stressed.

Saleem, a former Test paceman, however, said the absence of Yousuf, a veteran of 79 Tests and 269 One-day Internationals, would give the selectors the opportunity to blood youngsters for the national team.

“There are a number of talented young players who have emerged on the domestic scene in the past few seasons. We’ve have been monitoring them closely, and hopefully they will get their chance whenever the need arises.

“In place of Yousuf, we have decided to bring in Khalid Latif for the Abu Dhabi series,” he pointed out. “Khalid is basically an opening batsman who deserves his chance, but will bat in the middle-order if he plays against the West Indies.”

Commenting on the composition of the Abu Dhabi-bound squad, Saleem said it was picked in consultation with both the captain and the coach.

“There was no disagreement over the selection matters because we selected the squad after taking the input from [skipper] Shoaib Malik and [new coach] Intikhab Alam. The squad is well balanced with blend of both experience and youth,” he revealed.

On the inclusion of Shoaib Akhtar, Saleem said everyone was satisfied with his performance. “During the first Pentangular Cup match [for Federal Areas] in Karachi, Shoaib took time to find his rhythm. As a fast bowler that is understandable because he was playing first-class cricket after a long time.

“But in Islamabad he was a different bowler [taking four wickets in the Punjab’s second innings] who looked very good on Sunday and bowled a great spell. Whatever doubts over Shoaib’s fitness and match practice were dispelled yesterday,” he added.