Yousuf fined and banned in Pak tourney

Match referee Illyas Khan imposed penalties of Rs 15,000 fine and two-match ban on Yousuf after he violated the PCB code of conduct for wearing kits on the field and showing up late for a match here.

The event has taken place at a time when Yousuf was omitted from Pakistan's final 15-member squad for the World Cup to be held in the subcontinent from February 19, despite scoring three successive half centuries in the domestic competition for the Lahore team.

A source close to the selectors said that Yousuf was not considered for the World Cup simply because of his fitness. "His fitness was under suspicion and he was aware of it himself. Playing domestic cricket and international cricket are two different things. And he has not been very forthcoming about his fitness with the selectors," the source said.

Yousuf, 36, has the experience of playing in 90 Tests and 288 ODIs before he was ignored for the World Cup squad. But the former captain has himself stopped short of making any announcement about his future as an international cricketer.

"Look there is no use announcing a retirement in Pakistan cricket. It makes no difference because mainly the way senior players are treated here they either fade away or are made to fade away," Yousuf told mediapersons after a post-match conference. "I am disappointed with my ouster but what can one say. It is the decision of the selectors and they know best why they dropped me. But I will continue to play at every level and see how it goes," the veteran player added.