Stop blaming each other after every defeat: Younis Khan

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan captain and record-breaking batsman Younis Khan feels that it is time for all to stop blaming each other after every defeat, insisting all national team needs is someone who can give them confidence.
Pakistan’s limited-overs teams, ODI and T20, unlike their Test team counterparts who have been doing well, have suffered a flurry of losses in recent contests against England and New Zealand. The T20 defeats have raised serious concerns about Pakistan’s prospects in the forthcoming Asia Cup T20 and the World T20.“The team management is supposed to give confidence and encouragement to every player. Dropping one or two players after a defeat wouldn’t make a difference. [Rather] there is a need to give respect to players,” said Younis while talking to a private news channel.“It is time we stop this culture of blaming each other after every defeat. The team just needs someone to give them confidence, that is all. Our former late coach Bob Woolmer was successful and popular because he dealt with each player differently,” the 104-Test veteran highlighted, adding the role of the team management in this regard was crucial.
Younis, 38, said being part of the inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL) or things like being made brand ambassador of the event or adviser to the PCB chairman didn’t matter to him.“I don’t bother about such things now after the enormous love and respect I have got from the people,” Younis, who has amassed a Pakistan record 9,116 Test runs at a highly impressive average of 53.94, said. The compact right-handed batsman has 31 Test centuries, the highest by any Pakistani, including an epic 313 he scored against Sri Lanka in 2009 at Karachi.
Speaking about his decision to retire abruptly from ODIs late last year, Younis said it unfortunate that he was blamed for the limited-over series defeat to England in the UAE.
“But one thing is clear I didn’t retire abruptly or because of head coach or anyone else,” he said.
He said he had wanted to retire from ODIs gracefully like he had done from T20 cricket in 2009.
Younis said he had been kept in and out of the ODI team and therefore had to wait for months before he was picked in the team and could retire. “Even where Test cricket is concerned when I feel it is the right time I will announce retirement.