Younis still hungry to play ODI’s for Pakistan

2015 World Cup

Cricket365
January 17, 2015

Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has no plans to retire from One Day International cricket after the upcoming World Cup, which starts in Australia and New Zealand in mid -February.

It was thought that the World Cup would be the last we see of the 37 year-old Younis, especially in the coloured clothing of Pakistan. Younis however has no plans to retire from the limited game to prolong his Test career.

Younis said: "I don't have such thing to just play Test matches. My body is in front of you, I don't get stiffness in my body. Whenever I will feel that my body is not allowing me to play I will go and retire.

"I have some plans and I hope I succeed in them. I don't get this life back and it makes you happy when your national anthem is played in other countries. I am a proud Pakistani and will try to serve my country. I will continue to play as long as I am fit."

Younis has also confirmed that he would like to bat at number three in the batting order at the World Cup, after being moved down the order for Pakistan's last ODI series against New Zealand.

He continued: "I have been playing at No. 3 since 2004. I have no such thinking that there will be two new balls in Australia and [that I should] bat down the order. I will be very happy to bat at this position, like Imran Khan used to in 1992.

"I will be very happy if I repeat that and score runs for the team at No. 3."

Pakistan are in Pool B at the showpiece event alongside South Africa, India, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland and the UAE.

Their first match of the tournament will be against archrivals India on 15 February at Seddon Park in Hamilton, New Zealand.