Yousuf to retire from international cricket: sources

Former captain and senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf, who has been banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for indefinite period, has decided to retire from the international cricket and is expected to make an official announcement on Monday.

Sources close to Yousuf said that he was disheartened and fed up after the recent ban on him and the way his name had been linked to various controversies.

"He has decided in principle to retire from international cricket and will announce this on Monday," one source said.

Yousuf, who captained Pakistan on the recent tours to New Zealand and Australia, was banned by the PCB earlier this month on the recommendations of an inquiry committee that probed into the team's poor performance Down Under.

Yousuf is said to have lodged complaints against some players including Shoaib Malik for not co-operating with him and creating disharmony in the team on the twin tours.

The Board also banned Malik and Rana Naved for 12 months and fined them Rs 2 million each.

The inquiry committee in its report said that Yousuf and another former captain Younis Khan had due to their mutual differences brought down the team and created problems in the dressing room.

Sources said that one reason why Yousuf had still not appealed against his ban was because he had taken time to consult his friends, family and also some former captains before taking a decision on retirement.

"He is extremely unhappy at the treatment meted out by the Board since he feels that he was let down by the Board and some players," the source said.

Yousuf was upset at being accused of spoiling the team and having fights with Younis Khan, the source said.

Both Younis and Yousuf were ignored by the PCB and were dropped from the list of players given new central contracts this month.

The 35-year-old Yousuf is one of Pakistan's most accomplished batsmen having played 88 Tests and 282 One-dayers during his long career.

Sources said that Younis was also considering the retirement option after being banned by the PCB.

Younis has through his lawyer, however, sent a letter to the Board asking them to explain and provide evidence for making allegations against him and imposing the indefinite ban on him.

While Yousuf has gone to Sharjah to play in Bangladesh domestic Twenty20 league, Younis is currently in the United States on a visit for the Islamic Relief Fund.