Yousuf gets green light to join up with Pakistan squad

KARACHI,  (Reuters) – Former Pakistan captain Mohammad  Yousuf has been granted a visa and will be considered for  selection for the second test against England which starts at  Edgbaston tomorrow, the team said.

“He will join us on Thursday (today) and he will be under  consideration for the second test,” Pakistan manager Yawar Saeed  told Reuters from Birmingham.

Four months after being banned for damaging team morale, the  experienced batsmen was recalled by Pakistan after a humiliating  354-run defeat in the first test.

Yousuf, who turns 36 this month, has played 88 tests and 282  one-day internationals and captained the side in New Zealand and  Australia this year.

In March he was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board for an  indefinite period after an inquiry into the team’s poor  performances found players guilty of misconduct and  indiscipline.

Yousuf reacted to the ban by announcing his retirement from  international cricket but recently said he was ready to play for  Pakistan again.

Yousuf told reporters in Lahore that he was happy to be  called up for national duty once again.

“It is always a big honour playing for Pakistan. But any  decision on whether I can play the second test will only be  taken after I join the team,” he said.

Yousuf scored three centuries on his last tour to England in  2006.