Yousuf retires from all forms of cricket

Karachi, Aug 15 (IBNS) After being denied a central contract, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf decided to retire from all forms of competitive cricket.

According to sources, a crestfallen Yousuf was so disheartened that he even decided against taking part in any domestic tournament.

Yousuf, who will turn 37 this month, came back to form with scores of 109, 68 and 72 in his last three innings for Warwickshire in the English county championship in May. He also led Lahore in the national super eight T20 championship in Faisalabad before Ramazan and did pretty well.

Yousuf, a veteran of 90 Tests and 288 ODIs, last played for Pakistan in 2010 in UAE against South Africa but had to return home midway due to fitness issues. He has scored 7530 runs at an average of 52.29 in Tests and has 9720 runs from 288 ODIs at 41.71.

A top source in the Pakistan Cricket Board said: "He has served the country well and this was what he got from the selectors. The selectors didn´t even bother to give him a call and find out about his future plans and fitness before dropping him."

Besides Yousuf, former captain Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal and Danish Kaneria were also not offered central contracts.