ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has finally broken his silence on his decision to retire abruptly from one-day international last November during the series against England.
“It unfortunate I am blamed for the limited over series defeat to England. But one thing is clear I didn’t retire abruptly or because of either head coach Waqar Younis or anyone else,” Younis said while talking on private sports channel on Monday.
Younis, 37, said he had wanted to retire from ODIs gracefully like he had done from T20 cricket in 2009.
He said he was in and out of the ODI team and had to wait for months before he was picked in the team and could retire.
“Even where test cricket is concerned when I feel it is the right time I will announce my retirement. It will be my decision,” he added.
Younis also declined to comment on statements by Waqar that Younis’s sudden retirement on the morning of the first ODI against England upset the team and that he had sat down with Younis and told he could play at any position in all four matches of the series, CricketNext reported.
“I will only respond to these things when Waqar is sitting with me. But it was not an abrupt decision. I had wanted to retire much earlier but I didn’t even get enough matches in the World Cup,” Younis said.
While Younis has emerged as Pakistan’s top run-getter with most centuries in 104 Tests with a batting average of 53 his record in ODIs has not been as impressive managing an average of just 31 in 265 matches.
Referring to the present dismal form of the national team in ODIs and T20 cricket, Younis said no angels would come to rescue Pakistan cricket.
“It is time we stopped this culture of blaming each other after every defeat.”
Dropping one or two players after a defeat wouldn’t make a difference. There is a need to give respect to players,” Younis said.
“The team just needs someone to give them confidence that is all. The role of team management is very important. Our former late coach Bob Woolmer was successful and popular because he dealt with each player differently,” he said.
