September 20, 2008	Saturday	Ramazan 19, 1429

LAHORE, Sept 19: Premier Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has delayed his departure for Australia to play in the Sheffield Shield tournament there in order to confirm his availability for the national Twenty20 Cup and a quadrangular international Twenty20 tournament in Canada.

Zakir Khan, PCB’s Director Cricket Operations International, told Dawn on Friday that Younis was committed to performing his national duty first, therefore, he has decided to represent Peshawar Region in the national event, starting in Lahore from Oct 4.

Later, he would also be considered for the Oct 10-13 Canada tournament, also involving Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and the host nation.

The PCB announced the teams of all its regions for the national Twenty20 on Thursday where Younis’ name was not included in the Peshawar side.

A PCB spokesman, while quoting the Peshawar Region head Wasal Durrani had told the media that Younis was not available for both events as he had to play in the Sheffield Shield, starting from Oct 10. The PCB had already allowed Younis to play in Australia’s domestic event.

“Now it is up to the Peshawar Region to exclude any player from the already announced team to adjust Younis,” the spokesman added.

But in order to play in both the competitions, Younis, representing South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, will have to miss the first match against Victoria, to be played from Oct 14 to 17.