In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net Yousuf spoke of his plans whilst in the United Kingdom, his determination to represent Pakistan once again despite his age and how he intends to feature in all of next season’s domestic cricket competitions in Pakistan.

By Saj Sadiq (31st May, 2012)

The name Mohammad Yousuf conjures up images of elegance at the batting crease, sumptuous cover drives, perfectly timed leg side flicks, every shot played with an abundance of time, wristwork and skill, as well as the occasional run out! The thirty-seven year old Yousuf has served Pakistan cricket for more than a dozen years but now while the Pakistan cricket team tours Sri Lanka, Yousuf is left in the wilderness - instead playing for the Lashings World XI in the United Kingdom.

A career that has seen the Lahore born right hander amass 17,300 international runs now stands at a crossroads and it remains to be seen whether the world will ever see Yousuf wearing Pakistani colours on a cricket field again. Thirty nine international centuries count for nothing now, as Yousuf looks in from the outside, struggling to force his way back into the international set up.

In an exclusive interview with PakPassion.net Yousuf spoke of his plans whilst in the United Kingdom, his determination to represent Pakistan once again despite his age and how he intends to feature in all of next season’s domestic cricket competitions in Pakistan.

“I’m in England at the moment on some private business and the guys at Lashings asked me if I wanted to play a few games for them. I thought it was a good opportunity to play some cricket, maintain my levels of fitness and keep in touch with the game that I still love. In between the matches for Lashings, I’m continuing to do my gym work and continuing my daily training routines. I expect to be in the United Kingdom for a month or so” stated Yousuf.

Yousuf who averages over 52 in Test cricket feels that if the call from the selectors came to join the Pakistan team at any time, he would be physically and mentally prepared to play for his country once again and he has no doubts that he would be able to perform at the highest level.

“Physically I’m in good shape and mentally also I’m in great shape. I’m ready, able and willing to play for Pakistan any time the selectors want to call on me. The desire to play for Pakistan has never receded and recently in Lahore before I came to the United Kingdom I gave a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy which I passed with flying colours. I’m confident that if I am given another opportunity by the selectors I would not let them down.”

Yousuf has not featured in domestic cricket in Pakistan since the 2010/2011 season but he sees a high level of performance in domestic cricket as his route to an international return and emphasised his willingness to feature in the 2012/2013 domestic season in Pakistan.

“This time around I will be playing domestic cricket. My plans are to feature in all of the tournaments in Pakistan, the Quaid E Azam Trophy, the National One Day Cup and any Twenty20 tournaments that are organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Playing in the aforementioned competitions is going to be essential to my hopeful return to the Pakistan team and playing in these tournaments is in my plans. My heart is set on a return to international cricket and I know that despite all of my previous runs in international cricket and performances, I need to impress the selectors once again. It is like starting all over again for me and I know that people will question whether I can still perform at the highest level at the age of 37, but I am confident that I still have a lot to offer Pakistan cricket.”

Yousuf added that he had not had a chance to meet PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf yet neither had he communicated with Iqbal Qasim since his appointment as chief selector, rather he was banking on weight of runs to impress the selection committee.

“I haven’t had a chance to meet the Chairman yet and my thinking is that rather than speaking with selectors. I think it’s best to play some domestic cricket and let my performances do the talking for me.”