PCB expresses surprise over Younis' retiring from ODIs

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan has expressed dismay and surprise of veteran batsman Younis Khan's decision to retire from one-day cricket, and said he felt that the latter was not taking the right time in calling it quits.

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Younis had earlier announced that he would retire from the ODIs after the opening match against England at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Praising Younis for his contributions to the game so far, Shahryar said that the former has been performing well, which is why he was selected to represent Pakistan in ODIs again.

Pakistan's chief selector Haroon Rashid said Younis was chosen for the ODI squad keeping in mind that he would help the side in its future assignments.

Rashid said the selectors picked the 37-year-old hoping that he would stabilise the batting line-up, and added that the player had never discussed his retirement plans with the selection committee.

The 37-year-old veteran batsman, who played 264 matches in his 15-year-long career, has scored 7240 till now, including seven hundreds and 48 fifties. He is also the sixth highest run-getter for Pakistan in ODIs.

The Pakistan stalwart had overtaken Javed Miandad as the highest run-scorer for his nation in Tests last month.