I am a great admirer of Younis Khan, the batsman, but not his statements. It is a treat to watch him in full flow on the field and he can surprise you with incredible strokes. He can also surprise you with observations on his knock after the match. Very often his captains, as well as the selectors, are caught on the wrong foot. His latest outburst after being dropped for the one-day series, challenging his selectors to build a team without him for the World Cup, is an example!

I have been lucky to report some of his greatest knocks and then attend his post-match press conferences. When asked about his innings, he always presents himself as a team man stating that he had paced his innings depending on the needs of the team, and that he always prioritised his country more than personal glory. On his batting position too he has very often remarked that his team’s needs were most important for him. For someone like that, coming out with hard-hitting statements like challenging his team on being dropped is shocking.

Younis is not just an ordinary player, and at 36 is a role model to the youngsters. His last century in a One Day International match has been way back in 2008 when he hit 101 against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi. His disappointment at not being selected, despite being a batsman with a wide array of strokes, is understandable, but he should accept the fact that at 36 he should get selected on merit.

Given that his team always came first for him, he should have reserved his comments. Had he not been considered after a string of huge scores, then one could have still termed that as unfair.

On the other hand, in Test cricket, he has been a consistent scorer and had displayed his form through his knocks of 136 against Sri Lanka in December 2013 at Abu Dhabi, and a spectacular 177, again against Sri Lanka, at Galle in August this year. Younis should realise that with age one must act in a more mature manner. In fact, that would make him more respectful than react like a beginner who gets disappointed at being dropped.

Today cricket is a fast-paced game and selectors can never be blamed for opting for youngsters. Any cricketer past the age of 35 should consider themselves as priceless, and not project themselves as victims of prejudice. Younis is the pride of Pakistan cricket with 7,000 runs in One Dayers and Test cricket. It is the cricketing world that should be demanding his presence in the team and not himself.