KARACHI: Former Test captain Mohammad Yousuf has been barred by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from participating in the ongoing President's Trophy as a result of which he will not be able to prove his fitness and form to be eligible for the national team.
The rules of the President's Trophy dictate that only the players who have been included in the squad prior to the start of the tournament will be allowed to play.
Yousuf, who turned down offers from several departmental teams due to personal reasons, was recently offered a slot by Port Qasim Authority to play in the President's Trophy. However, the PCB has turned down the special request made by PQA to allow the 38-year old to play.
The batsman has been sidelined by selectors since November 2010 and must make a comeback in the domestic circuit to be considered for the national team once again.
Yousuf lamented the fact that the PCB wanted him to prove his fitness but was not allowing him to play in the domestic circuit.
“On one hand, the PCB tells me to prove form and fitness in the domestic circuit, but on the other hand, does not allow me to do so," said Yousuf while talking to the media.
"Since 2010 I have not been representing any domestic team, this time around the Port Qasim Authority (PQA) offered me a slot which I readily accepted.”
Former captain Rashid Latif also expressed disappointment at the PCB's attitude.
“I sent a letter to (Javed) Miandad on October 30, and in any event, the PCB should have at least replied. This is not the way to treat a legendry player like Muhammad Yousuf,” said Latif.
