Pakistan's Yousuf quits over ban

Former Pakistan captain and world record holder batsman Mohammad Yousuf yesterday announced he was to quit international cricket in protest against an indefinite ban.

Yousuf was banned earlier this month in a crackdown on players by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following a disastrous tour of Australia. Pakistan lost all three Tests, five one-days and a Twenty20 match.

The dismal performance resulted in bans and fines on seven leading players - Yousuf was captain for most of the games.

"I received a letter from the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) that my staying in the team is harmful for the team, so I announce my retirement from international cricket," he said.

"I thank the fans around the world, all the senior players and family members for supporting me throughout my 12-year career," said an emotional Yousuf, 35, dressed in traditional dress.

His greatest achievement was 1,788 Test runs in 2006 with nine hundreds - the world record for most runs scored and hundreds in a calendar year, beating West Indian Viv Richards' 1976 record of 1,710.

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