Selectors want Younis to play in domestic competition

KARACHI: Pakistan chief selector Iqbal Qasim on Tuesday said Younis Khan should play some domestic matches if he wants to make himself available for the Australian tour.
Habib Bank, for whom Younis plays for in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, had said on Monday that the prolific batsman was ready to play in the next round but people close to Younis say that he still remains undecided about playing in the tournament.
Qasim said if Younis will not play in the domestic tournament, it will become difficult for them when they will sit to pick squad for the Australia tour.
"We are hoping he would play because obviously if he makes himself available for the Australian tour we need to consider him," the chief selector said.
Qasim was also unhappy with the way their batsmen perform on foreign tours.
Pakistan lost the first Test against New Zealand by 32 runs in Dunedin last week under Mohammad Yousuf, who was named captain after Younis pulled out of the tour.
Qasim said Pakistan had a top class bowling attack to win Test matches but this could not be possible if the batsmen do not back them.
"Overall we fought well in the first Test but we should have won it after coming so close. In recent months we have lost at least three close Test matches because of our batting and that is a matter of concern for the selectors," he said.