Younus Khan retires from T20 Internationals
Pakistan skipper Younus Khan announced his retirement from the shortest version of the game immediately after he led his team to victory in the ICC World Twenty20 2009 in England.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets in Sunday’s final to lift the Twenty20 crown.
This was Pakistan’s first major victory in 17 years. The last time the sub-continent side won a major cricket tournament was way back in 1992 when Imran Khan led them to victory in the World Cup.
After two losses in its first three games of the World Twenty20, Pakistan bounced back strongly with four back-to-back victories to clinch the trophy it lost to India two years ago.
Younus Khan proved to be an inspirational leader who utilized the services of experienced candidates like Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal and Umar Gul well.
The skipper, however, called curtain on his Twenty20 International career after Sunday’s victory at Lord’s.
"This is my last Twenty20 game (for Pakistan), so I am retiring from T20 Internationals," Younus said after Pakistan’s victory over fellow sub-continent giants, Sri Lanka.
"I am now 34; I am old for this kind of cricket. The good thing is we have a couple of good youngsters like Shahzaib (Hasan) and Ahmed Shehzad."
"We have a number of talented cricketers who can really excel in this version of the game.”
The Pakistan captain signed off on a high few players are fortunate to achieve. "I've always dreamt of winning the World Cup," he said.
Khan’s retirement is limited only to Twenty20 Internationals and he will continue his duty as skipper for one day internationals and Test matches. Khan’s successor in the shortest format of the game has not been named.
Khan dedicated Pakistan’s win to their late coach, Bob Woolmer. He also made a fervent plea to other cricketing nations to tour Pakistan for the betterment of the game in the country.
Younus Khan has played 22 Twenty20 Internationals with two half centuries and an average of 25.41 runs per game. He turned his arm over in just one of the 22 matches, against Kenya, and ended with figures of 3/18.
