Younis Khan blasts Pakistan

Khan has been dropped by Pakistan in the past after 15 years of service (©GettyImages).

Pakistan star Younis Khan has sensationally hit out at the national side’s selectors, who have dropped him for the upcoming ODI series against Australia.

Khan is not taking the decision lying down, and has challenged Pakistan to try and build a Test team without him.

Supporters back Khan

The PCB have also risked the wrath of a section of supporters, who have already been accusing the board of treating the legend unfairly.

“Don’t select me, not even in Tests. I sacrifice my future”, he told ESPNcricinfo.

However, he insists he has no plans to retire just yet. The 36-year-old has also ruled himself out of the ICC World Cup, which takes place in Australia and New Zealand next year.
Khan had already been away from the ODI side for a year and a half, but was recalled in August for the series with Sri Lanka.

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Tricky relationship

If Khan plans to force the PCB’s hands by refusing to play altogether – as has worked for a number of international players in the past – his attempts may be hampered by his strained relations with chief selector Moin Khan.

The batsman left the tour midway through the Sri Lanka series due to personal reasons, having played only one game, scoring 3 off 7.

Announcing his reasons for dropping his namesake, Moin Khan said their decision to play him against Sri Lanka had “backfired”.

Younus was also banned for a three month spell in 2010, when he was accused, along with Mohammad Yousuf, of causing divisions within the team.

Khan’s defence

Khan’s career with the Men in Green has spanned almost 15 years, but during that time, he claims he has never approached selectors in order to curry favour.

Pakistan are aiming to create a more youthful side, particularly due to their current focus on fitness, which has seen 11 players fined for failing tests.

It is a strategy that has seen them discard several of their more experienced players over the years, with Khan citing their treatment of Inzamam ul-Haq and Javed Miandad as similar to the position he now finds himself in.

“They have hurt me when they said that players like me have no future”, he said. “Don’t disrespect them otherwise no youngster will play for Pakistan”.