Yousuf set to arrive on Thursday

[Friend786]

Mohammad Yousuf will arrive in England on the eve of the second Test at Edgbaston having secured the relevant visa necessary for athletes. However, although he is winning his race to reach the country on time, having responded to the team's SOS following their 354-run thrashing at Trent Bridge, the team management have suggested it remains highly unlikely he will feature on Friday.

Yousuf is scheduled to land in London at 12.35pm on Thursday before dashing straight to Birmingham where the team are preparing for the second Test. The management will then assess whether Yousuf, one of Pakistan's finest ever batsman, is able to take his place in the middle order.

"He has got the visa today and he will be joining the team tomorrow. I don't know if he will have enough time to be ready for the Test," Shafqat Rana, Pakistan's associate manager told Cricinfo. But Yawar Saeed, Pakistan's manager, added that the final call would be taken at the team meeting on Thursday evening to decide the final eleven. "All the 16 players will be considered for team selection," Saeed said.

The addition of Yousuf, who in March announced his retirement from international cricket, came just hours after England completed their big win in Nottingham. Earlier this year, Yousuf was handed an indefinite ban by the PCB after he captained Pakistan on their disastrous tour of Australia, during which the side fell apart under his control.

There was no similar call-up for the former captain Younis Khan, who has been playing county cricket with Surrey. But while Pakistan have gained an experienced player in Yousuf, they have also lost one of their veterans after the PCB released Danish Kaneria back to county cricket.

The board said Kaneria would remain available to the Test squad if required, but for now Raza Hasan, 18, has joined the squad but is awaiting a change to his visa before he becomes available for selection. Hasan has played only two first-class matches and will almost certainly be second in line behind Saeed Ajmal for the Birmingham Test.

http://www.cricinfo.com/england-v-pa...ry/470965.html

[sakss]

o khelega phir toh....bye bye youngsters.....

[MAJID-SHAH]

So he got the visa then.

[Amjid Javed]

I couldnt care wether MY arrives two minutes before the Toss!

He should be picked to play!

[rhussain33]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed I couldnt care wether MY arrives two minutes before the Toss! He should be picked to play!

We just gonna see him fail like he had done in the NZ and Aus tour, hes way past it now... still see some elegant singles and maybe a few boundaries, dont see him passing the 50 mark though, i hope im wrong !!

[A.M.]

Recalled Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf flies to London on Thursday to join his embattled team ahead of the second Test against England, which starts in Birmingham a day later.

Yousuf, who turns 37 later this month, was recalled from retirement on Sunday, hours after Pakistan's crushing 354-run defeat in the first Test at Nottingham, giving England a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.

The veteran batsman had been banned for an indefinite period in March following Pakistan's disastrous tour of Australia, where the team lost all three Tests, five one-day and a Twenty20 international. Yousuf led the team in all but the last two limited overs matches.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has also dropped veteran leg-spinner Danish Kaneria for teenage left-arm spinner Raza Hasan in the squad currently in England.

"Yousuf is flying to London and is expected to reach Birmingham late Thursday and once he reaches here we will decide about his inclusion in the second Test," Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed told AFP from Birmingham.

Spinner Hasan, already in England, will need a change in his UK visa before being able to play.

"We have already requested for a change in Hasan's visa so that he can play," said Saeed.

Pakistan captain Salman Butt has warned the team that Yousuf alone will not be able to change the batting fortunes after they were dismissed for 80 in the second innings at Nottingham.

Yousuf said last month he wanted to play for Pakistan again.

"I can play under any captain and have never felt degraded playing under anyone. I am available to play for the team if invited with respect," said Yousuf, after reports of his recall.

http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news...he-second-test
cricbuzz sayin he is likely to play

[anakwalajinn]

lol... he was SO SO SO stubborn "I have retired bla bla" etc
everybody appealed except yousuf


hahaha pakistani life bans
would rather have YK instead of MY

anyway, best of luck
I doubt they will drop Malik because he is a "senior" and very "experienced", so I think umar amin won't play any more

[Energy]

So Yousuf will be the part of the playing XI certainly. And with Hameed having already been the favorite to start on Friday, it could mean the end of both Azhar and Amin.

[A.M.]

Originally Posted by Hassam Nasarullah So Yousuf will be the part of the playing XI certainly. And with Hameed having already been the favorite to start on Friday, it could mean the end of both Azhar and Amin.

nope i think so it was that if MY doesnt arrive then Hameed would play

[KingKhanWC]

Good stuff but no flights to Birmingham?