Time for a Yousuf revival?
09-Oct-2013
With the impending South Africa series, the Pakistan Test batting line-up looks a little light on paper, with even Misbah-ul-Haq admitting the dearth in batting resources at the moment. Salman Haqqi, writing for Dawn, ponders as to whether now is the time to go with an old, seasoned pro in Mohammad Yousuf, a batsman of pure artistry and touch who enjoyed a bumper 2006 season when he eclipsed Vivian Richards' Test record for most runs in a calendar year.
Whether Yousuf would still be the player at 39 that he was a few years ago is unknown, but with more than 7,000 runs in 90 Tests, at an average of over 50, it defies logic that a player of his talent and ability was left out to dry at a time when the well of new talent was drying up. The lazy maestro took on Curtley Ambrose and Courtney Walsh in their backyard, smacked the rampaging Freddie Flintoff and Steve Harmison after the duo's monumental success in the 2005 Ashes and took on the mighty Warne. It would have made for a fascinating contest to watch the Yousuf of 2006 against a Dale Steyn who has now become king.