Younis unlikely for Australia Tests

As Pakistan get set to announce the squad for the three-Test series against Australia later this afternoon, the name of Younis Khan, their former captain, is unlikely to be in it.

Younis took a temporary break from the game and captaincy following Pakistan's ODI series loss to New Zealand in Abu Dhabi last month, claiming that he had "lost command" over the side. The decision was the result of months of dissent within the side with Younis' leadership. At the time Younis said he would come back to Pakistan and play domestic cricket to get back into batting form, though he never set a date on his return.

But since then, Younis has gone underground. He has not played any domestic cricket for his local side Habib Bank and has not been in touch with anyone, including the PCB or team management. Reports surfaced last week that he had picked up a foot injury during a fishing accident but they were rubbished by those close to him.

The silence prompted Ijaz Butt, chairman of the PCB, to hint in a press conference on Monday that Younis is unlikely to make the cut for Australia. "Younis should have played domestic matches to be a candidate for selection for the tour. However, a final decision in this regard will be taken after a meeting with the chief selector Iqbal Qasim," Butt said. Officials within the selection committee echo similar sentiments. As a result of not having played any domestic cricket or made clear his intentions, they say, it would defy logic for him to be selected.

Sources close to Younis say he will return to international cricket, but only after the Australia series. It isn't entirely clear whether he has played any kind of cricket since he asked for a break, but Younis has signed a contract with a club in Quetta - the Manan Memorial Gymkhana CC - to play there next season.

In his absence, it is likely Mohammad Yousuf will continue to lead the side. Yousuf is currently leading Pakistan in the Test series in New Zealand and was at the helm as Pakistan levelled the series in Wellington with a 141-run win, their first Test triumph in almost three years. But their batting has been particularly frail through the series, relying heavily on contributions from the Akmal brothers and Yousuf.

Younis, who averages over 50 from 63 Tests, has been a vital cog in Pakistan's middle order, at No.3; since he established himself in the side at that spot - at the start of Bob Woolmer's reign as coach in late 2004 - he averages nearly 60 from 35 Tests, with 11 centuries. On Pakistan's last tour to Australia, in 2004-05, he was their leading scorer in a 3-0 whitewash. He also had a fruitful - and enjoyable - stint with South Australia last season, scoring over 350 runs in four first-class matches at an average of over 50.