"Younus and I have to perform" : Mohammad Yousuf

[the saint]

DUBAI: Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf believes that performing well in the two-Test series against South Africa is his and Younus Khan’s responsibility as senior players.

Yousuf was omitted from the limited-overs squad on fitness grounds but made his international return in the final One-Day International of the series. Younus was not included in the Test squad when it was named prior to the series but the selection committee decided to add his name after the ODI series.

“Being seniors, Younus and I have to perform in the Test series,” Yousaf told reporters. “We have to occupy the crease for as long as possible during the Test matches and being seniors, we are fully aware of our job and will try to do our best.”

Asked whether he wanted to achieve any milestone being at the twilight of his career, Yousuf said he had nothing in mind but was looking forward to performing well for the team tomorrow.

“There is no such milestone in mind but I’m always looking forward to perform well for the country.”

The 36-year-old batsmen is confident that Pakistan have a good combination of seniors and young players and each one of them would have to play their part in the interest of the team to thrive.

Both teams will be playing Tests at the Dubai Sports City Stadium for the first time and Yousuf claimed that this made it difficult to make any predictions about the series.

But Yousuf also admitted that South Africa are a strong team on paper given their experienced batting line-up comprising Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, and Ashwell Prince.

“Without any doubt they are a formidable team but South Africa are not the favourites.”

Banking on the bowling attack

Yousuf believes that Pakistan have a competitive bowling attack to compensate for South Africa’s quality batsmen. “We have a good bowling line-up and being senior bowlers there is a big responsibility on Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul. Both have played plenty of cricket while Wahab Riaz has played just a few Test matches, is new to the team but has played well so far.

“There no that doubt leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is an experienced bowler and we will be missing him in the series against South Africa as he’s taken 250-plus wickets,” said Yousuf. “However, we’re still backing Saeed Ajmal despite his omission midway through the ODI series due to poor form.”

http://tribune.com.pk/story/75304/yo...hammad-yousuf/

[Cryin Out Loud]

Phew..for a second there from the headline of this thread I thought Moyo has started a press conference of his own.

[*sallu*]

Quite right

A lot banking on Yousuf and Younis our numbers 3 and 4

[the saint]

thank god for some real cricket news.

[deviously~fading~away]

Originally Posted by Cryin Out Loud Phew..for a second there from the headline of this thread I thought Moyo has started a press conference of his own.

[the saint]

honestly i hate when players say this. each and every player is picked on the basis that he is a capable test player. I expect Azhar Ali to get a double hundred.

[saeed-sohail]

But we thought they don't get on.

[Proud To Be A Pakistani]

lol .... I was like .... may be he came up .. that he scared away .... Zoni the vampire ... with his bread ..... lmao

[Hassan0987]

iA both making centuries in the first match

[Syndrome]

I miss their huge double hundred partnerships.

[akamaka]

i miss the 50 run partnerships

[Gollum]

What about the Captain??? He gets a free pass despite being a senior?

[Boi]

Not as much as Azhar Ali. If he doesn't perform, the whole of PP will be asking for his head and never to be selected again, while the likes of Yousuf and Younis can have another chance because they're 'class acts' and are just returning into the side.

It's quite obvious really that our two leading batsmen need to perform, it's the only way to inspire the others to get runs.

[Omar Malik]

Statements baazi shuroo ho gayi phir....yeh reh nahi sakte jab tak media mein aa ke kuch bole na toh!

Obviously the bulk of the batting will be on you 2 and so most of the people even watching would be expecting you guys to lead this side with so many problems! Not many have high hopes from despite being named the captain without doing jack all!

[Down2Earth]

well duh

[iZeeshan]

Why do they feel the need to make such obvious statements? Just to get into the media?

Obviously, everyone that's selected has to perform, or they wouldn't be selected right?

It's not like the PCB picks some to perform and others to just relax.

[JellyBro]

quite a statement from Mr. Obvious

[Golden arm]

Yousaf technically being the best player in Pakistan should be made batting coach cum playing member of Pakistan team , just like david houghton or grant flower for zimbabwe.

[saeed-sohail]

Reaction here is unbelievable.Bloke was probably asked about his and YKs return and how crucial their performances will be.Instead of making excuses about injury lay off he accepts responsibility and acknowledged they need to perform.What's wrong with that?

[iZeeshan]

Originally Posted by saeed-sohail Reaction here is unbelievable.Bloke was probably asked about his and YKs return and how crucial their performances will be.Instead of making excuses about injury lay off he accepts responsibility and acknowledged they need to perform.What's wrong with that?

See, I considered that, and even then I posted that. If you're being asked such a question, at least answer it in a way that doesn't make you sound stupid and obvious.

[JibranAnsari]

I think younger players will do better than younis khan and Mohammad yousuf in these matches. Yousuf hasnt been good against saffers has avg of only 29 , younis has 43 which is better. But i feel hafeez , azhar ali and umar akmal will perform well. Hafeez is in a very fine nick. either azhar ali or umar akmal will play( thanks to the passenger misbah). I think azhar ali will will be given priority but he has very limited strokes and south africa can tie him down easily and umar akmal lacks patience and has all the strokes in the book. I hope he wont play a scoop in the tests.

[saeed-sohail]

Originally Posted by iZeeshan See, I considered that, and even then I posted that. If you're being asked such a question, at least answer it in a way that doesn't make you sound stupid and obvious.

To me most obvious answer for a Pakistani cricketer would've been.

I was out injured it will take time to get form back.

[oyei]

lol, i predict pakistan 0 - S. Africa 2

[Strike!]

I think these two have always had the best partnerships when it comes to making runs for the team.

[KingKhanWC]

If our openers can see off the new ball these two should be able to bat for long periods. Younis has found some form but Yousuf looks out of touch. Facing Steyn and Morkel won't be easy, he needs a little luck to survive and then he is capable of scoring a big hundred.

It's nice to see Yousuf doesn't think South Africa (the real no.1 test team) are not favourites even though most wouldn't agree with him.

Sami,Gul, Riaz and Ajmal seem to be the bowling line up. I was hoping for two spinners (depending on the track).

[the saint]

I think it all comes down to stability and confidence. At the moment there are only 3 certainties in the batting order. Misbah for obvious reason followed by Yk and MY. Pakistan need more stability as a team. The players need to know the general XI.

[JibranAnsari]

I hope its the deadliest spin track

[saeed-sohail]

Originally Posted by the saint I think it all comes down to stability and confidence. At the moment there are only 3 certainties in the batting order. Misbah for obvious reason followed by Yk and MY. Pakistan need more stability as a team. The players need to know the general XI.

Agreed 100%.Our sectors need to take responsibility name no more then thirteen players.Pick your six best batters three pacers two spinners and a keeper.Add an extra batter if you must.

[muzher]

Oh how I miss the days when the good ol' Yo-Yo partnership would consistently rack up 100+ run partnerships...

[Dare2Dream]

Originally Posted by saeed-sohail Reaction here is unbelievable.Bloke was probably asked about his and YKs return and how crucial their performances will be.Instead of making excuses about injury lay off he accepts responsibility and acknowledged they need to perform.What's wrong with that?

Exactly, too many idiots frequent PP these days.

[Ryankhan]

I would only watch this series becoz of YOUNIS and i wish he and yousuf scores big runs and get those 200 partnerships...i wish a double hundred by YOUNIS.

[muzher]

Sad to see Yousuf injured. Was really looking forward to finally seeing him and Younus bat together. Seems these days we only ever have one at a time. Who knows when next they'll both be in a Test? Especially given PCB and our infreqent Test schedule.

[Zaidi_Zaidi]

in team to perform duas

[zulfi00]

Younas and I have to perform HAJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zulfi00]

Originally Posted by JibranAnsari I hope its the deadliest spin track

Do you think Pakistani batsmen play spin better as compared to other teams? look at their performance against Swan, North and Smith.