Younis Khan expresses anger at being ignored for PSL opening ceremony
Pakistan’s veteran batsman Younis Khan has expressed his anger at not being invited to the opening ceremony of the Pakistan Super League. He appeared on a TV channel, criticising PCB’s attitude, while the ceremony was being held in Lahore. The 37-year-old Khan remains the only Pakistan captain to have led the national team to its only World T20 title in 2009 in England, before he retired from the format.
"I was not invited for the ceremony. They ignored my accomplishments for Pakistan and my achievements in T20 cricket," Younis complained.
"But in a way it is good because they have sent me a clear message that where I stand as far as the PSL is concerned and if I will be a part of it or not," he said.
"It doesn't matter to me at this stage of my career but it is disappointing not being invited for the PSL launch after having served Pakistan cricket for so long," he added.
I was not invited for the #PSL ceremony. They ignored my accomplishments for Pakistan & my achievements in T20 cricket.
— Younis Khan (@TheYounusKhan) September 21, 2015
Support #PSL and make it huge than any other Cricket League in the World. Retweet and Support #PSL pic.twitter.com/H5ZAVUmsa6
— Younis Khan (@TheYounusKhan) September 21, 2015
Troubles the PSL has run into
The PSL has attracted a lot of big names and there is considerable excitement about the new marquee event, but there have been several embarrassments for the PCB over it already. After the drawn-out issue of where the event was to be hosted was resolved, the conspicuous absence of former legends Javed Miandad and Imran Khan, apart from the likes of Khan, have put a slight dampener on the elation the country’s cricket board would be experiencing now.
Even former heads of the Board, based in Lahore, including Ijaz Butt, Khalid Mehmood, Tauqir Zia and Zaka Ashraf were all conspicuous by their absence from the PSL opening ceremony.
Wasim Akram had recently advised Younis Khan to concentrate on Test cricket, but the batsman did not seem to take that advice very kindly either.
"I respect him a lot he is a legend of Pakistan cricket. But I think he should not bother or worry about me. Because after 15 years of international cricket I don't think I need to take anyone's advice to decide what to do about my career," Younis said.