Summary Younis Khan wanted to say his good bye to One Day cricket at a respectable stage of his career.
Lahore (Dunya News) – Pakistan cricket team’s star batsmen, former Captain and senior cricketer Younis Khan stunned everyone as he announced his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket after Pakistan played its first ODI of the series against England in Abu Dhabi.
Khan announced the startling retirement on the morning before the match with England. The experienced cricketer saluted the crowd after his final 265th appearance as he was dismissed at 9 runs by England’s bowler Topley.
During a talk before the match in Sheikh Zaid Stadium, Khan stated that the decision to retire was not an emotional step taken immediately but he wanted to say his good bye to One Day cricket at a respectable stage of his career and he had been waiting for a favourable series. He further added that the retirement decision was completely his own and no one, including the coach, forced him on it. Khan informed that he had been thinking about the retirement for the past 6 to 8 months.
Khan also stated that his performance in One Day cricket had not been satisfactory since 2011 and he had worked devotedly for his return to the team after his selection was dropped from the previous cricket world cup. The renowned senior cricketer stated that the younger players were capable of performing even better than him. He declared the young batsmen Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan as his replacement. The 37 year old middle order batsman denied the rumours relating his resignation to the differences with the selectors.
Former cricketers looked bewildered by Khan’s decision with many including Muhammad Yousaf calling the step a result of pressurizing.
Commenting on the matter, Pakistan Cricket Board’s Chairman Sheheryar Khan looked upset over Khan’s action, stating that the senior cricketer’s decision and his timing was a mistake and added that Khan’s retirement was controversial as was his 15 year old career. The PCB Chairman however remarked that the senior player would be given a proper send off.
Speaking on the matter, Pakistan’s Chief Selector Haroon Rasheed stated that he was surprised by the former Captain’s decision and said that Khan had made no hints about the decision when he met with him.
Former cricketer Mohsin Khan wondered if Khan’s decision reflected Waqar Younis’s hesitancy in allowing Khan’s return the ODI squad.
Muhammad Hafeez stated that he was shocked by Khan’s decision
Meanwhile others commemorated Khan’s career. The youthful budding cricketers during a discussion with the media in Qaddafi Stadium lauded the renowned batsman with praises and acknowledged his services to the national team. They stated that his contributions to the game will never be forgotten. The young cricketers stated that the experienced middle order batsman had always provided them with his professional guidance and they were able to learn some truly valuable things from Khan.
Khan started his ODI career in 2000 with a match against Sri Lanka in Karachi. Khan has played 264 ODI matches for Pakistan. The experienced middle order right handed batsman achieved a total of 7240 runs for his ODI career. His highest score remains at 144 with a batting average of 31.24 and strike rate of 75.29. The star batsman managed to grab seven centuries and 48 half-centuries during his ODI career.
