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| August 28, 2002 | Wednesday | Jamadi-us-Saani 18,1423 |
Youhana sent home from Kenya
LAHORE, Aug 27: Pakistan batsman Yousuf Youhana Tuesday refused to comment on his expulsion from the team on alleged disciplinary ground.
Youhana was sent packing from Nairobi, Kenya, where the Pakistan team is preparing for the tri-nation golden jubilee tournament starting Aug 29.
“I cann’t say anything until I meet chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Lt Gen Tauqir Zia,” he said.
Youhana said his meeting with the PCB chairman was scheduled for Wednesday.
Youhana is the second Pakistan cricketer to have been sent packing from a tour. In 1984-85, leg-spinner Abdul Qadir was also flown back after violating the code of conduct.
In 1997-98, two players — Shoaib Akhtar and Fazle Akbar — managed to stay on tour in Zimbabwe after Rashid Latif had decided to send them back for indiscipline.
Team manager Yawar Saeed gave no explanation for the action against one of Pakistan’s most consistent batsmen, who arrived in Nairobi with team mates on Friday from the Morocco Cup tournament in Tangiers.
Saeed said a detailed report has been sent to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) but declined to discuss the report or give further information.
Officials of the Kenya Cricket Association (KCA), who are helping to organise the Aug 29-Sept 7 series also refused to discuss the issue.
The Pakistan team, which took off on a two-day safari trip to the world-famous Masai Mara game reserve, is expected back in Nairobi on Tuesday. They open the tournament against hosts Kenya on Thursday.
“Yousuf Youhana has been asked to return to Pakistan from the current tour. A detailed report has been sent to the Pakistan Cricket Board and the matter explained to the chairman of the board via telephone,” Yawar said.
He said no replacement would be called up.
Youhana has also been included in the 14-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy to be held in Sri Lanka in October, but officials could not say whether he would miss that tournament as well.
Pakistan play Kenya in the first match Thursday before facing Australia on Friday.
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