PCB questions Whatmore's decision to allow veteran Yousuf take fitness test

Islamabad, May 2(ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board has demanded an explanation from national team coach Dave Whatmore over his decision to allow veteran batsman Mohammad Yousuf to take a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), which he passed.

A senior official of the PCB had a word with Whatmore after the media and some former players questioned his decision to apparently support Yousuf's comeback, according to a well-placed source.

"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 Daily Times quoted the source, as saying.

"The official also inquired from Whatmore whether he had taken the national selectors into confidence before allowing Yousuf to take the fitness test," the source added.

Whatmore then explained to the official that Yousuf insisted to train at 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," the source said. (ANI)