Turning down a request from the team management, Pakistan batting mainstay Yousuf Youhana said on Tuesday he would not join the team in Jamaica where the second and final Test against the West Indies starts on Friday.
"There is not enough time for me to join the team. It took me two full days to return from the Caribbean to be at the bedside of my ailing father. I expect it will take the same time to reach there which means I will not be there when the match will start," said Youhana from Lahore.
"The team's assistant manager (Asad Mustafa) called me last evening and asked if I could join the team. But being a logistics man himself, he understood the problems."
The Pakistan cricket team, coming to the Caribbean with the hope of registering its first-ever series win there, is now battling to save the series after losing the first match by 276 runs.
To rub salt to injury, there have been reports of three senior players involving in a brawl that has further dampen the spirits of the team besides leaving a negative impact on the youngsters.
"I know the team needs me and I also hate to miss the Test. But there are situations where one is helpless. But my thoughts and good wishes will always be with the team," Youhana said.
Youhana scored 101 runs in Pakistan's 3-0 win over the West Indies in the three-match one-day series.
