Yousuf well crafted innings continues

Dubai - The 41-year old who has had a dab at driving autorickshaws and being an assistant at a tailoring shop, is now into business.

For a person who has been gifted with the type of natural talent and flair that many can only wish for, Mohammad Yousuf can consider himself unfortunate. In and out of the Pakistan national quad since 2008 and finally dropped on grounds difficult to comprehend in March 2010, he was summoned for national duty again in August, the same year after a disastrous opening Test by his national side against the English.
The 41-year old who has had a dab at driving autorickshaws and being an assistant at a tailoring shop, is now into business. Yousuf was his same composed self and the wiry fit player he always is when we spoke to him before a net session in Sharjah, on Monday. "Keeping fit is something that goes with me naturally, it's not an effort especially when I still enjoy playing the game.
There are always doors open for players to showcase the skills acquired over many years. There is still some market value left as long as one is match fit for international level matches," Yousuf said. Not interested in being drawn into a conversation on his playing record or national representation, Yousuf added: "See, one day at a time. Right now with God's grace everything is going fine. The business is fine and running well with the partners combining well to take it forward.
So, there is a new way of making a living today for me and cricket still comes as a big bonus, that is as long as I am playing fit. "What is the point of talking things of the past when there is so much of good going our way at present. Look today we are here playing top class cricket." Yousuf once said a few years ago that he was already was out of the national side, so there was no point in making an occasion to announce his retirement.
"One should always be positive and look forward, one day at a time, there is always something good in front of you, if you keep faith and believe in yourself," he added. Yousuf in 90 Tests scored 7,530 runs at an average of 52.29 while in ODIs he amassed 9,720 runs for an average of 41.71 from 288 appearances. Yousuf, who has also led his national team in the past, is part of the Virgo Super Kings side taking part in the Masters Champions League in Dubai and Sharjah from January 28 to February 13.