PCB seeks explanation from Whatmore on Yousuf`s fitness test

Lahore: Days after Mohammad Yousuf passed the fitness test at the NCA raising speculations that he might make his way back into the team, the PCB has sought an explanation from coach Dav Whatmore as to what prompted him to allow the senior cricketer to appear for the test.

A well-placed source in the Pakistan Cricket Board said that a senior official of the PCB had a word with Australian import Whatmore after the media and some former players questioned his decision to apparently "support" Yousuf`s comeback. "The official asked Whatmore what was the reason behind allowing Yousuf to train at the National Cricket Academy with the Pakistan team and also to allow him to take the fitness test that led the media and former players to speculate that the coach was planning to bring back Yousuf into the national side," the source said. "The official also inquired from Whatmore whether he had taken the national selectors into confidence before allowing Yousuf take the fitness test," he added. According to the source, Whatmore explained that Yousuf had come to the NCA and asked him whether he could train with the other players. "The coach explained that given Yousuf`s seniority and standing in Pakistan cricket as a former captain, he had no option but to give him the permission." "Whatmore also claimed that it was Yousuf, who insisted on taking the fitness test and that he (Whatmore) didn`t push him about it," the source said. The source said that there was also a slight altercation over the Yousuf incident between Whatmore and one of the selectors present in Lahore. "The board took notice and acted immediately to end the speculations," he added. Yousuf, who has not been selected for Pakistan since late 2010, has however claimed that he was not looking for any shortcut into the national team and that he would appear in domestic cricket as per the wishes of selectors to prove his fitness and would also wait for his turn. PTI