LAHORE: Pakistan’s veteran batsman Mohammad Yousuf compared himself to India’s Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies’ Shivnarine Chanderpaul while expressing disappointment at being snubbed for the tour of Sri Lanka which starts from May 28.

Yousuf, who was invited to appear in a fitness test by new coach Dav Whatmore, said he could still play at the highest level as he, at 37, is younger than both Tendulkar and Chanderpaul.

“I am 37, while Tendulkar and Chanderpaul are older than me and are still playing,” Yousuf told reporters here on Wednesday.

“Similarly, Australia have kept their faith in Ricky Ponting even though he has played 170 Tests.”

Yousuf claimed that he had passed the fitness test he had been called up for but the selectors did not pick him as they wanted him to feature in domestic cricket before being considered for selection.

“I was quite hopeful about being selected,” Yousuf said. “However, whearin I found out that I wasn’t selected, it was really disappointing.

“I was unable to play domestic cricket last season due to some reasons but I will be playing regularly from now.”

Yousuf, who has played 90 Tests while scoring 7530 runs at an average of 52.29, said he wants to prolong his Test career.

“I want to continue playing Test cricket,” said Yousuf. “I am fit for that format of the game and I think I can still perform in international cricket.”