Younis Khan announces retirement from ODI cricket

Veteran Pakistan batsman and the country's all-time leading Test run-scorer Younis Khan announced his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket on Wednesday, following controversy over his inclusion in the limited-overs team.

Younis, 37, said that he would play his last ODI match today in Abu Dhabi against the English side.

"I am proud to announce that after playing for Pakistan for 15 years I am announcing my retirement. I consulted with my close friends and family members before taking this decision," Younis said in a statement.

"As a batsman I played a positive role in the team's wins in one-day cricket and now I realise that it's time to keep myself away from limited overs cricket.

"I hope that the young player who takes my place will keep the traditions which I have set on never compromising over discipline and fitness. I thank all my team-mates and team management for their cooperation throughout my career," said Younis, who will continue to play Test cricket.

Sources said Younis Khan apprised the PCB management about his retirement decision during a meeting prior to ODI against England. Younis said he would not be available for the remaining matches of the series.

"It's always a tough decision for a player to retire. I played my cricket with sincerity and discipline and see Pakistan's future as bright and am sure that youngsters can fill in," he said.

"Pakistan became world champions in the past and still has the capacity to become champions of the world again."

The veteran batsman announced his retirement following controversy over his selection in the one-day team against England. He was recalled to the Pakistan squad for series against England last week after playing a ODI in the World Cup in March 2015.

Since 2013, the senior middle-order batsman has been in record-breaking form in Test cricket, but has been in and out of the ODI squad, playing just 11 matches in the past 2.5 years.

Wednesday's game will be Younis's 265th one-day international, nearly 16 years after making his debut against Sri Lanka in Karachi in February 2000.

Going into his last match, Younis has scored 7,240 runs with seven hundreds and 48 half-centuries in one-dayers.