Pakistan still needs Yousuf in Tests - Mohsin Khan

Pakistan chief selector Mohsin Khan believes that Mohammad Yousuf, who announced his retirement from the game following the ban imposed by the PCB, has a Test future and should reconsider his decision.

"Pakistan still needs him in Test cricket and we have him in our plans for our upcoming tour of England," Khan told Reuters, after Yousuf's announcement.

Yousuf was banned indefinitely by the PCB earlier this month as a part of the large-scale cull of the national side, following the diastrous tour of Australia when the team returned defeated in every single game.

Zaheer Abbas, the former Pakistan captain, echoed Mohsin Khan's views and believed Yousuf had more to offer. "Yousuf is a world-class batsman and can still play Tests for Pakistan," Abbas told AFP. "Everyone knows the reason behind his decision, so he should decide on his future and we must respect that.

"Yousuf has served the country for 12 years and deserved a better end to his career. It's now a catch-22 situation for him, but he will have to think about his future himself," Abbas said.

Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq doubted whether his long-time team-mate Yousuf would reconsider his decision.

"I don't think he will change his decision this time because he is extremely hurt at the way the board has made accusations against him and banned him," Inzamam said. "You don't treat senior players like this, there is total confusion and contradiction in the charges made against Yousuf by the inquiry committee."

Ramiz Raja, another former captain, blamed the torrid happenings in recent times for Yousuf's retirement. "For the last six months controversies have followed him and forced him to take this decision", Raja said.