CricketViewer.com

Dashing middle order batsman Younis Khan on Saturday signed the players’ central contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) at the Gaddafi Stadium here.

“Yes I have signed the players contract today,” confirmed Younis while talking to media after a practice session for the preparations of the team for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa next month.

Younis is the 17th player, who had signed the central contract, out of the 20 players whom the PCB offered the contract.

Younis said joining the Indian Cricket League (ICL) was the decision of an individual player and no one can force any one to join it.

“I do not have plans to join the league at this stage because still I believe I can play cricket for Pakistan for another four to five years and after that at the verge of retirement I would consider to play for it,” he said.

“Obviously the money they are offering is quite attractive but now my preference is to play for Pakistan and at some stage when I will see that I am near to retiring I will consider it to earn more money,” he added.

He said the chances of the Pakistan and Indian teams to win the World Cup were bright as both the teams had the potential.

“Certainly I want to see Pakistan winning the title because it will add to the team’s confidence ahead of the home series,” he said.

The team is leaving for Kenya on August 28 (Tuesday) on the way to reaching South Africa. In Kenya Pakistan will be playing in a warm-up T20 tournament to be held from September 1 to 4, also involving Bangladesh, Uganda and the hosts Kenya.

Prolific batsman Mohammad Yousuf and seasoned all-rounder Abdul Razzaq did not sign the contract after they were dropped from the Pakistan team for the Twenty20 Cup to be held in South Africa from September 11.

Source:Cricket News