Younis Khan it seems might return earlier than expected thanks to another spineless display by our batters in the first innings of the ongoing Melbourne test
Pakistan’s failings with the bat in Melbourne have prompted the team management to send out an SOS for Younis Khan. The former captain, who has kept a low profile since he abruptly relinquished the leadership in November, is believed to be keen to respond and may even arrive in time for the second Test in Sydney, due to begin on January 3.
Pakistan were dismissed for 258 on an unusually docile MCG track, and only Umar Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq batted with any authority against a disciplined and bustling Australian pace attack. That continued a run of poor performances in Younis’s absence on the New Zealand tour, where Pakistan relied heavily on Umar as they drew a three-Test series 1-1.
But the team management has been keen on getting Younis over since before the Melbourne Test began. After the opening day at the MCG, they called up Iqbal Qasim, Pakistan’s chief selector, and said they needed Younis. Since then it is believed there may have even been](http://www.paklinks.com/ausvpak09/content/story/440925.html) direct contact between Mohammad Yousuf, the Pakistan captain, and Younis.
“They have been very keen on getting Younis over and they called up Iqbal Qasim after the first day to make the request,” a board official told Cricinfo. “A request needs to be made in writing and the selection committee will discuss and weigh up the pros and cons before the decision is made.”
Younis gave up the post after losing an ODI series to New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, claiming that he had “lost command over his players.” It came after months of reported unhappiness within the team over his leadership. He went underground immediately after, only to resurface suddenly while attending a PCB coaching course in Lahore and then turning out, unimpressively, in the 131 runs in four Tests. His ODI form has also been wobbly.
But his experience and track record at No.3 - a particularly troublesome spot for Pakistan in recent Tests where they have tried four different batsmen in four Tests - is thought to be crucial in Australia. Not only was he Pakistan’s leading scorer in the last Test series here, he enjoyed a successful stint with South Australia last season.
“Younis has been contacted and there is a chance that Yousuf has also contacted him directly,” said the official. “He has said that he is fit and ready to go, but will stand by whatever process the selectors put in place for his return.”
**That process would appear to depend on how Pakistan ultimately fare in Melbourne. A loss could mean that there is a “70-80%” chance of Younis making it in time for Sydney. If they somehow escape with a draw he could arrive in time for the final Test in Hobart, having played at least one Pentangular match in the interim. The call-up would also entail a current member of the squad returning to Pakistan, and it could possibly be one of the fast bowlers. ** A final decision could also be taken as early as tomorrow, depending on the situation of the Test.
I think we realized in NZ how badly we needed Younis Khan. Faisal Iqbal, Fawad Alam are not world calibre test batsmen, certainly not worthy of the all important No.3 position. However, its the selectors politics that kept him out of the Aussie squad, instead of reinforcement for bowling they needed reinforcement of batting at No.3 position. Hopefully, he'll make it in time for the 2nd test. Let's hope and pray that happens, and they can send back Khurram Mansoor because he'll not be used for sure in the remaining 2 tests.
It seems that the selectors have already made up their minds about who would be returning home (last para in the article).....in an ideal world I would love to send a few more packing! :) But most likely it would be Rauf. He has looked very ordinary here. He has got neither pace nor line & length. And he does not swing the ball much either. I think Khurram Manzoor would stay back as a cover for one of the lousy openers.
Sami can easily fill Rauf's shoes..both garbage to say the least
*so we are all ready to bring back Younis even if he haven't performed in last 4-5 months ?
And not even in the only domestic game he decided to show up ?
*
People want Miandad to coach the team but want Faisal Iqbal out.... dileamma, hmmmmm.
comparing Miandad with Faisal Iqbal is like comparing Apples to Oranges bhanja got his international break in 2001 and if he really was test material, he surely won't be fighting for a permanent place in the team right now :) an average of 26.71 in 25 tests is hardly flattering..
So let's not confuse the two things
*so we are all ready to bring back Younis even if he haven't performed in last 4-5 months ?
And not even in the only domestic game he decided to show up ?
*
Do you think Faisal Iqbal has more to offer at No.3 then Younis Khan, who might be going through a lean patch. Also, he played for South Australia county side so he's familiar with these conditions as well plus he is a great bat. So to answer your question, yeah anytime.
so we are all ready to bring back Younis even if he haven't performed in last 4-5 months ?And not even in the only domestic game he decided to show up ?
performance in low-intensity domestic games is not the best way to judge an established player who has proven himself at test level. You simply treat it as a practice session. The motivation/energy levels are not the same..
An out of form Younis will out bat Faisail Iqbal, Fawad Alam and he's a good slip fielder. We need him in the team irrespective of the result of this match.
Hopefully the selectors will pull their heads out of the sand and send Younis right away. The excuse of having to play domestic games to prove his fitness doesn't make much sense.
comparing Miandad with Faisal Iqbal is like comparing Apples to Oranges
bhanja got his international break in 2001 and if he really was test material, he surely won't be fighting for a permanent place in the team right now :) an average of 26.71 in 25 tests is hardly flattering..
So let's not confuse the two things
bhai sahib, that was not the point, even if Faisal eats his mamoo's p**p he can't get better, the point I was trying to make is that we want Miandad to coach but that would mean that Faisal Iqbal becomes a permanent fixture... may be its wrong thread for that comment :D
Keep 4 bowlers, Shoib Actor, Sami, Aamir, Asif ... 1 all rounders from Razzaq, Shahid, Malik , 1 spinner Danish, and 5 batters Younis, Yousuf, Asim Kamal, Umar and Kamran!
421 in 140 overs, means RR = 3 … it is achievable, its not impossible! go try and fight till get this and make the world say again “Pakistani are unpredictable”
- recalling someone who isn’t himself sure of his performance :no:. Sad state of affairs indeed. 
