Younis Khan has left UBL in protest over the bank’s decision to disband the team [Update Post #5]

[MenInG]

Reports suggest that UBL management has decided to end its interest in domestic cricket. Players such as Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Shan Masood,, Sohail Khan, Rumman Raees, Sohaib Maqsood, Mohammad Nawaz, Mir Hamza & Hammad Azam are currently contracted by UBL #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) May 28, 2018

[Savak]

Have heard from many current domestic players that Departments are no longer playing the role for first class cricketers that they once did. Players are no longer given permanent jobs, they are given seasonal jobs or contractual jobs, pay scales, perks, bonuses are no longer the same and players can even be let go once their cricketing careers have come to an end.

[Abdullah719]

UBL likely to pull out of departmental cricket

LAHORE: The management of United Bank Limited (UBL) is considering to shut down its division of departmental cricket after which numerous cricketers are expected to lose their jobs, Pakistan Today has learnt.

According to reports verified by multiple sources, UBL may abandon the cricketing activities at the domestic level with the players’ contracts ending in June 2018. If this is the case, the UBL team will not participate in the next season despite winning the One Day Cup for Departments 2017-18 under the captaincy Younus Khan and being the semi-finalist in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2017-18.

Talking to Pakistan Today, UBL Head of Corporate Communications Ali Habib said, “[The] focus on cultivating talents for the national team through our cricket academy and sports complex has led us to review the efforts behind our cricket team.”

“At this moment a variety of options are being considered,” he added, confirming that the bank’s management is currently reviewing the resources spent on the participation in sports.

Habib said that any final decision on the matter is yet to be taken, explaining that a number of options are under the consideration of top management.

Jobs of several cricketers, including Younus Khan, Umar Akmal, Shan Masood, Rumman Raees, Sohail Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Mohammad Nawaz, Mir Hamza and others may well be at stake as they are employed by the UBL on contract basis, a sports analyst tweeted, adding, “UBL management has decided to close down its cricket team.”

However, Habib maintained that the decision regarding policy review is pending and nothing can be ascertained at the moment.

“Our commitment towards sports, as an effective element of society’s healthy development, remains as strong as ever,” the UBL’s spokesperson said.

He further informed that the UBL Sports Complex and Cricket Academy in Karachi cultivate the nation’s young talent with the provision of cricket coaching to over 800 children. Habib stated, “We want to upgrade these facilities as a premier platform for the growth of the sport in Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, a sports writer commented that Ghani Glass, the runner of Patron Trophy Grade-II, would replace UBL if the team formally ends all involvement in the domestic circuit.

In 2015, the UBL team had undergone a complete revamp. Over a dozen new players had been inducted in the side with the hiring of four Test players and six other international cricketers.

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/201...ental-cricket/

[MenInG]

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan believes that the United Bank Limited’s recent move to disband its cricket team will send discouraging signals to young and upcoming cricketers who have been aspiring to make career in the game with the support of leading outfits in domestic cricket.

“At the UBL academy, the youngsters are training day in and day out with hopes to excel in the game,” said Younis while talking over the phone from Islamabad. “But they will feel very disappointed when the same institution disbands its cricket team.”

“UBL is the only department with such a good set-up. Young players, at their training facility, will surely get discouraged by this move”, the former captain added. “How does it sound that ‘We will manage the cricket academy but will shut the cricket team. it doesn’t seem fair.”

Younis said he has had a word with the UBL head on this subject and will be meeting other influential figures as well in the coming days to convince them to avert the dismantling of the cricket team.

UBL has been a prominent department with a rich history in the Pakistan domestic circuit.

“UBL are the reigning departmental one-day champions and have eight or nine current national players in its ranks. I hope the relevant quarters will pay heed to my plea,” said Younis.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1412037/ub...ngsters-younis

[hadi123]

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has left United Bank Limited (UBL) with immediate effect in protest over the bank’s decision to disband the team.

Since retiring from international cricket, Younis has been playing for UBL in the domestic circuit but he was unhappy about the closure of the team.

UBL will also give up its representation on Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) governing if it decides to quit domestic cricket.

The team left the domestic arena in 1997 for a period of 15 years due to privatisation. The team resurfaced in 2011 and quickly established itself as one of the top departments in first-class cricket.

UBL was not able to go beyond the group stages in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy during the 2017-18 season. It finished second behind Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in Group 2 of the competition.

Over the course of its history, UBL has won the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy quadruple times while also winning the Pentangular Cup thrice. It also has various other accolades in the limited overs format to its credit.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1755411...an-leaves-ubl/

[Abdullah719]

[kingusama92]

"Being a legendary cricketer..."

This guy and his ego.

[pkckt]

Did he just call himself a legendary cricketer? As good as he maybe that's very unusual and unlike most legendary cricketers.

[Saj]

I'm sure he will end up at another team, on a very good salary.

The people I feel sorry for are the cricketers who played for UBL and will now struggle to find another team and are struggling financially.

[BaankeJi]

Are you sure this letter is genuine? Nobody can call himself legendary. Maybe an attempt to make him look ridiculous.

[gazza619]

Are you sure this letter is genuine? Nobody can call himself legendary. Maybe an attempt to make him look ridiculous.

Actually the only YK can address himself in this arrogant way, i think its genuine

[Abdullah719]

Are you sure this letter is genuine? Nobody can call himself legendary. Maybe an attempt to make him look ridiculous.

It is genuine.

[hitthestump]

Legendary cricketers generally don't refer to themselves as being legendary

[Savak]

I am sure the organization UBL will be rethinking their decision to disband their dept team costing them millions and even billions over the thought of losing one individual i.e. Younis Khan

[InziRules]

I am sure the organization UBL will be rethinking their decision to disband their dept team costing them millions and even billions over the thought of losing one individual i.e. Younis Khan

Millions and billions? lol, have you seen domestic salaries?

[Hawkeye]

Legendary cricketers generally don't refer to themselves as being legendary

Younis does it all the time, even in TV shows.

He's not legendary.

[Madplayer]

Lollywood should make a movie "Younis khan vs the world"

[Pete Rose]

Honest man etc

[volcyz]

What a legendary cricketer

[Zeshan547]

Wao... This is just on whole new level of Self Praising,,, Unbelievable.

[BaankeJi]

It is genuine.

Ok. That is too much.

[Square Drive]

Oh dear. @pakistanigoneaussie

[AssassinatedDevil]

I have no clue why this guy is still a player/captain atm. He's retired from international cricket and should just go straight to coaching. His larger than life ego is the main reason he will always be under Misbah's shadow in my eyes.

[Usman Chadda]

Such a tremendous servant of Pakistan cricket, but the personality of an absolute tool

[shaz619]

Fair play to Younis Khan, did the right thing. Still shocking to see how many people disrespect this legend, you are not worthy to clean his shoes

[shariqnoor]

That signature of his gives him the right to call himself legendary!!!!

[CadPakFan]

Lollywood should make a movie "Younis khan vs the world"

It'll get an Oscar in no time!

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Oh dear. @pakistanigoneaussie

On the list of things he has done this quite low, and at face value I’d even agree with but I imagine this is more about younis feeling insulted rather than anything else. That letter of resignation was truly Trumpian though

I actually wonder whose ego is bigger

[RedwoodOriginal]

As someone who spent a summer playing at Karachi's UBL Cricket Academy, this is really disappointing. UBL had some of the best structure and facilities among any of the domestic sides and the academy was a great front for them to groom young players who could eventually play domestic cricket for them.

Admirable what Younis did to save UBL cricket, been following his efforts. But at the end of the day even a "legendary" cricketer like him can't stop corporate fat cats from doing whatever makes more sense on a balance sheet.