ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan says he has no problems playing in any cricket format and has not ruled out an international comeback to Twenty20. “I am not that sort of a player who says ‘I should be in Test matches, one-dayers or in T20s,' if my fitness is up there and Pakistan needs me .... I am always available for Pakistan,” Younis told reporters in Lahore Thursday. Younis retired from Twenty20 after leading Pakistan to the World Cup victory in England last year. He was included in the touring squad for the upcoming series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates after resolving all disciplinary issues in a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt. The PCB banned Younis for an indefinite period for a dispute with Mohammad Yousuf during the ill-fated tour of Australia earlier this year. “I can't fight with the chairman, I can't fight with the board, whatever I am today is because of them,” he said. “There's no ego problem, there was just some misunderstanding which is now cleared.” Younis had a turbulent last year when the country's parliamentarians raised suspicions of match-fixing during the Champions Trophy. Younis even appeared before a parliamentary committee to clarify his position but left the captaincy after the limited-overs international series against New Zealand at Abu Dhabi and also did not feature in the test matches against either New Zealand or Australia. He was recalled for the one-dayers against Australia but could manage only 67 runs in five ODIs. He was among seven players who were sanctioned after the tour of Australia. “I went there (to Australia) after playing just one domestic match, but now I am coming back after playing a full county season for Surrey,” Younis said. “I am mentally prepared, and just need one good innings to be back on track.” Coach Waqar Younis welcomed Younis and believed the 32-year-old middle-order batsman was in top physical condition. “He's been a great server for the last 12-14 years,” the coach said. “He is fitter than most of the (other) players. “As a captain, as a player and as a senior member of the team he has done wonders and it's good that he is back in the team.” The spot-fixing allegations against three Pakistan cricketers dominated headlines on its recent tour of England with Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir currently suspended by the International Cricket Council pending an investigation. Waqar said despite all the controversies, his young team fought well against England and Australia in Test matches. “Match-fixing and spot-fixing are not my problems, it's cricket board's matter and they are solving it,” he said. “Unfortunately on the England tour it happened, which is bad for cricket - not only for Pakistan but overall it was not good for cricket. Despite off field controversies, cricketing wise it was a pretty successful tour with such a young side.” Pakistan will play two Twenty20 internationals, five One-Day Internationals and two Test matches against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates, beginning next Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. Waqar believed that his team was capable of beating South Africa in the Twenty20s, but expected tough opposition in both ODIs and Test matches. The coach had high expectations from the fast bowlers and spinners on the wickets of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but urged his batsmen to support the bowlers.
