Finally, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rectified its mistake and offered Category ‘A’ contract to veteran batsman Younis Khan. The Board had earlier released a list of 31 contracted players, putting Younis, one of the most senior players, with Umar Akmal, Umar Gul and Ahmed Shehzad in Category ‘B’. Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Junaid Khan had been placed in the Category ‘A’.
According to the earlier policy, those who play all the three formats were considered for the ‘A’ category. As Younis retired from the Twenty20 format after winning the T20 World Cup in 2009, he was offered category ‘B’ contract. But going by this formula of all three formats, Afridi should also have been in category B as he no longer plays Test cricket.
Obviously it was a surprise decision from the committee comprising Zakir Khan, Moin Khan and Mohammad Akram. It was widely criticised by former cricketers and fans. Younis himself also expressed anger and refused to sign the contract.
We appreciate the PCB Chairman Najam Sethi who revised the rules of awarding the categories. According to the new clause, any player who has played over 300 matches across the three formats of the game or has captained in all three formats will be placed in category ‘A’.
But it was not the first time that Younis was treated badly. In October last year the selectors ignored him for the five-match One-day International series against South Africa.
The veteran of 253 ODIs showed his concern and said, "I’m surprised I am not in the one-day team. It’s quite shocking for me."
Sometime back there were rumours that captain Misbah-ul-Haq will be replaced by some young player, but at that time, too, Sethi backed Misbah and announced that he would remain captain till the World Cup 2015.
Giving chances to youngsters is a good idea, but youngsters can improve their skills with the experience of their seniors.
Younis, 36, has played in 89 Tests, 253 ODIs and 25 T20 Internationals. He has led Pakistan in nine Tests, 21 ODIs and eight Twenty20 matches.
Younis is among the fittest Pakistani players, according to Mohammad Akram, who ran the Lahore camp. Younis was optimistic about his ODI future and hoped to use the rigorous training camp to get the selectors’ attention. He felt he had another two years at the top level.
The ever-smiling right hander from Mardan made his ODI debut in February 2000 against Sri Lanka in Karachi. In his first appearance he was impressive; batting at number 7 he scored 46 runs off 41 balls, hitting five boundaries.
He scored a fighting century in the second innings of his first Test, which unfortunately Pakistan lost by two wickets.
Younis was appointed vice-captain for the tour to India in 2004. He started slowly but ended the series with a match-winning 267 at Bangalore in the final Test, which helped Pakistan square the series.
Younis first led Pakistan in a disastrous series against the West Indies in 2005, but also had his good times as he captained Pakistan to a win against India in Karachi the next year.
Younis was once again offered the post after an embarrassing first round exit from the 2007 World Cup, but he refused citing personal problems.
The PCB once again offered him captaincy, replacing Shoaib Malik in January 2009. This time Younis accepted the offer and led Pakistan to a title victory in the Twenty20 World Cup.
But many senior players revolted against Younis’ leadership due to which he stepped down after a series against New Zealand in Sharjah.
He remains a permanent fixture in the Test squad and hopes to revive his ODI career ahead of the 2015 World Cup. He aims to retire on his own terms rather than be dropped by the selectors. Younis last played an ODI in March 2013.