Well if anyone had forgotten about Mohammad Yousuf’s talents, then they would have been well and truly reminded about what he is about in his first Test innings since his return from the ICL.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have just concluded day 2 of their first Test in Galle, a day on which Yousuf finished top scorer with 112 at a strike rate of 60.
Much had been made of Yousuf’s fling with the ICL, which all began after he had been unfairly excluded from the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup squad. Having then being brought back but rejoining the league, it was difficult to see when he would again grace the cricket field in a Test for his nation.
His comments about Shoaib Malik being chosen as captain at the time, were well off the mark but showed the mentality in Pakistan cricket and general life, where seniority is akin to superiority. But cricket has a great way of bringing people together, as it has demonstrated on a much more important level, and today we saw it again when Yousuf and Malik were at the crease together as Yousuf brought up his century.
Having achieved his first century in Sri Lanka, out of the Test nations, it is only on South African soil that he is yet to give his century sajda (prostration). But as the most stylish batsmen in cricket makes his return, this will only be a matter of time.
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July 5th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
The best part abt the 100 was that he was playing a test after 19 months…
July 5th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Yes Q, let’s hope we don’t have to wait another 19 months before his next century. Things are looking good for Pakistan cricket, and it’s a bit uncomfortable!
July 6th, 2009 at 3:08 am
I always liked Mohammad Yousaf the batsman but never liked Yousaf’s business ethics. I never expected him to be in form after 19 months but I forgot class is permanent and form is temporary.
July 6th, 2009 at 5:34 am
Wasim,
Yes, he almost seemed a little misguided to me. Sometimes when your not good at something (professional business/career decisions in this case), then you tend to put your faith in people who don’t necessarily have your best interests at heart. I wouldn’t say he was greedy in regards to the ICL, because as a religious man, I would have thought he would stay clear of such obvious wrong.
It was, nevertheless a mistake of his to some extent. I think this realisation will make him more hungry for runs and will make him appreciate his place which is a good thing.
I’m glad he’s back to strengthen our batting though. You could say that we effecticely batted from 0 for 2 having lost our two openers so early. But the depth of our batting meant that we still ended with a lead….and which was short of what we should have got still.
As for his class; he’s the most easiest on the eye of all batsmen. He could make a century with a strike rate of 40 yet still keep you glued. You’d be bored stiff if it were any other batsmen!
July 6th, 2009 at 6:11 am
We won’t have to Stani.. the table over at WP will tell u he scores centuries more often than anyone else.. and Pakistan has a lot of test cricket to come.. Thank God..
I agree with Wasim.. I like MoYo the batsman, not MoYo the person.
July 6th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Q,
My fear wasn’t whether he’d do it or not, it was whether another break away league would come along!….or the PCB decide to change their mind and shove their heads back up the BCCI’s behind.
I think we need to understand Yousuf’s situation. On the one side he had people that he respects, e.g. Inzamam, telling him to come join a league and earn a better living and on the other side he has a board that continues to mess him about; our number one batsmen.
If the PCB had been responsible and professional and had taken care of their players (see ECB as an example), I think more would have supported them rather than a break away league. It’s not a question of being loyal to ones country here; it’s an employer employee relationship issue.
So whilst people see the ICL players as bad boys, I’m less inclined to. With regards to the points above, I wouldn’t really judge Yousuf’s character from that. His beard and sajda at his century is enough for me.
July 6th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Good to see for him back in the international arena for cricket in genuine as he’s a classy act and true pleasure to view.
To get a 100 in his first innings after such a lusty break just demonstrates his formidability as a player in a scenario as if he scored a ton with his eyes closed.
Anyhow Pakistan is in command regarding the 1st test itself. They are on the brink of victory with MO no overnight.
July 6th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Maz,
Did you get my email more than a week ago? Please check your hotmail
Hopefully we can finish it without losing any more wickets. Butt needs a big score.