Younis could be recalled for England tour - chief selector

Mohsin Khan, Pakistan's chief selector, has hinted that former captain Younis Khan may be considered for the tour of England next month if the Pakistan Cricket Board gives the required clearance. Younis got his indefinite ban lifted by the PCB on appeal earlier this month, and he is currently playing for Surrey in the English County Championship.

Pakistan are due to play a series of Tests, ODIs and Twenty20s against England and Australia in England next month under the leadership of Shahid Afridi. Younis quit the captaincy before the disastrous tour of Australia earlier this year.

"The PCB need to give Younis clearance, in order for myself and my colleagues on the selection committee to consider his selection," Mohsin told Pakpassion.net. "I'm hopeful that the board will give him clearance and the selection committee can think about whether we want to include him against England and Australia.

"It's very good that Younis is getting some cricket under his belt in England and we are happy with his progress so far. The signs that we are getting from Younis are that he is ready to comeback to international cricket, it all seems very positive. I believe that he can continue to play for Pakistan for another four or five years."

Younis has played two first-class matches for Surrey so far, scoring an unbeaten 77 against Leicestershire at The Oval. While he has signalled his intentions of getting back to top-flight cricket, Mohammad Yousuf hasn't yet indicated any signs of a comeback.

Yousuf, who captained Pakistan in Australia, was also banned indefinitely by the PCB and he responded by announcing his retirement. Though the door has been left open for his return, he hasn't got in touch with the PCB yet.

"The last I have heard from Yousuf is that he has retired from international cricket. I have heard nothing further," Mohsin said. "If you don't make yourself available, then how can the selectors even consider you for selection."

Mohsin said the squad for England will be announced after he meets with Afridi and coach Waqar Younis, who are currently in Sri Lanka for the Asia Cup.

"We are scheduled to announce the squad for England on either 20th or 21st June," Mohsin said. "I'll be travelling to Sri Lanka and will sit down with Shahid and Waqar and we'll settle on the squad for the long tour of England."

Pakistan begin their tour with two Twenty20s against Australia, followed by six back-to-back Tests, starting with two against Australia and four with England. Mohsin said team changes will be made in due course depending on the format.

"The initial part of the tour of England is focussed on Twenty20 matches and we will select the squad accordingly," he said. "Once the Test matches start against Australia on 13th July, we will have replaced some of the one-day specialists with players who are more suited to Test cricket. I would expect up to four changes to the squad once Pakistan take the field at Lord's on 13th July."