Former Pakistan captain and senior batsman Muhammad Yousuf announced his retirement from international cricket on Monday after the indefinite ban imposed on him by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) earlier this month.
“The PCB has said in its letter sent to me that I am a disruptive influence on the team and I would never want my presence to affect the team,” Yousuf (35) told a news conference on Monday.
“I have always given my best for Pakistan and if they feel I am not a good influence on the team then it is better that I retire now.”
Yousuf, who has played 88 Tests and 282 one-day internationals, and another former captain, Younus Khan, were banned indefinitely by the PCB on the recommendations of an inquiry committee that looked into the team’s poor performances in Australia and reports of infighting in the team.
Yousuf skippered Pakistan on the tours of New Zealand and Australia last year after then-captain Younus asked to take a break from international cricket.
Pakistan were swamped 3-0 and 5-0 by Australia in the Test and one-day series.
Yousuf, who won the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test batsman of the year award in 2006 for his record-breaking spree of run-scoring when he got nine centuries, originally retired from international cricket when he joined the unofficial Indian Cricket League in 2007 but later returned to play for Pakistan.
“I have decided it is best that I retire from international cricket now but I will continue to play domestic cricket and in foreign leagues to keep in touch with the sport,” Yousuf said. — Reuters