April 18, 2008	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 11, 1429

KARACHI, April 17: Senior batsman Younis Khan on Thursday denied reports of his difference with the PCB and said his pullout from the two one-dayers against Bangladesh was a genuine break that he wanted after playing constant cricket.

Dispelling the impression that he had walked out of the current series in protest over questioning by the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, Younis said: “Some things did happen that were not to my liking but they didn’t force me to rest for the last two games. Neither do I have any differences with anyone in the team.”

”All these rumors and reports that I left the team because I had problems with the board and my fellow players and team officials are not true. I just had to attend to a personal problem and also wanted a break,” he claimed.

He was on Thursday named in the Pakistan squad after making himself available to the national selectors.

Younis and the two other players Umar Gul and Danish Kaneria were grilled by the ACU officer Alan Peacock about their relationship with an Indian national who is suspected to be a bookmaker by the ACU and Indian CBI.

The man is said to have traveled on some tours of the Pakistan team and was close to the players. Younis, however, didn’t comment on the ACU questioning but said he was keen to continue playing for his country. “Whatever I am today it is because of my country. So there is no question of me being big headed or ungrateful. I love playing for Pakistan and I will continue to do so.”

Younis confirmed he would be leaving with the other Pakistani players on the 22nd to play in the Indian Premier League starting tomorrow. “The IPL is a big attraction and I want to experience how it goes. I am looking forward to playing in it,” said Younis, who has been signed up by the Rajasthan Royals.—Agencies