Yousuf vows to work hard and wait until he is called back into the national team

Former Pakistan captain, Mohammad Yousuf has dismissed impressions that he is taking shortcuts to get back into the national team, stating that he will continue working hard and wait until he is called up to represent his country again.

Yousuf, last played for Pakistan in a five match ODI series against South Africa in 2010 before taking a nine month break from any cricketing activities whatsoever.

Speaking exclusively to The Express Tribune, Yousuf said: “I am not looking at shortcuts to gain an entry in the team. I’m concentrating on continuing the hard work that I’ve put in and play at any level till I regain my place in the playing-eleven.”

However, earlier in the month, Yousuf announced that he was looking to revive his international career and started training at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, where he also took part in a fitness test under the orders of coach Dav Whatmore.

There have been speculations that Yousuf will play for Pakistan in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka later this month, but chief selector, Iqbal Qasim stated that the former captain will have to prove his form in the domestic leagues first.

As a response to the chief selector’s comments, Yousuf vowed that he will continue working hard and do whatever he had to in order to get back on the national team roster, and said: “I won’t be disappointed if I’m not selected for the Sri Lanka tour and will play domestic cricket to gain the selectors’ confidence.”

“I’ve returned to playing cricket. I believe I can play for my country again and continue doing so for a few years,” Yousuf added.

Pakistan will play three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals in their tour against Sri Lanka.