Pakistan captain Salman Butt has confirmed that Mohammad Yousuf will not feature in the second Test against England.
Kamran Akmal set to be dropped in favour of uncapped Haider
Pakistan captain Salman Butt has confirmed that Mohammad Yousuf will not play in the second Test against England at Edgbaston.
The veteran batsman was hastily summoned out of retirement by the tourists straight after the 354-run defeat in the series opener at Trent Bridge.
However, Yousuf's departure was delayed due to visa issues and he didn't complete his 5,000-mile journey to Birmingham until Thursday afternoon.
Without the chance to enjoy an outdoor net before the Test begins on Friday morning, it appears the 35-year-old will not now be thrust into the team.
Ruled out
"There will be no Mohammad Yousuf tomorrow," Butt announced on the eve of the match, though the teams will not be announced until the toss.
There had been still been uncertainty over Yousuf's availability earlier in the day when Butt was questioned following Pakistan's practice session.
He told
Sky Sports News: "I would love to have his experience and with all of his credentials but it totally depends on what condition he is in because he has been through a lot of travelling to get here.
"I'd love him to be in my side. Obviously the call is going to come from the management but I must speak to him to get his views before we go about it."
Yousuf has been forced to prepare in Lahore's national cricket academy with no domestic cricket currently going on in Pakistan.
He averages 70 in 12 Tests against England but has not featured for the national team since being handed an indefinite ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board after captaining the disastrous tour of Australia last winter.
Limited action
The right-hander subsequently retired from international cricket and has played only two domestic Twenty20 games in the intervening months.
While Yousuf may not play, it seems Pakistan will make two changes for the second Test of the four-match series.
Kamran Akmal will pay the price for his nightmare at Trent Bridge that saw him miss crucial chances behind the stumps while also failing to contribute anything with the bat. His place in the side will go to the uncapped wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider.
There will have to be another alteration as Danish Kaneria was released to return to English county Essex after match figures of 1-171 in the first Test. Saeed Ajmal is likely to be recalled in place of the leg-spinner.
