Yousuf's absence will dent batting further, says Raja

Abu Dhabi: Former Pakistan skipper Rameez Raja feels that Mohammad Yousuf's exit will further dent Pakistan's batting strength.

"Batting has been a problem for the Pakistan team and Yousuf's absence will dent the confidence of the middle order," Raja told Gulf News.

Yousuf, who was named in the Pakistan team for the Fortune Cup, joined the unauthorised Indian Cricket League (ICL) and was subsequently banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

"Yousuf is not an ordinary cricketer and so it is a huge void and it will take time to fill up. The Under-19 teams and the academies in Pakistan have talented players, but may emerge only a little later," he said.

Raja also called for urgent measures to tackle the issue of Pakistan losing top players to the ICL. "Pakistan has been hit hard by the ICL taking away some of the players and something needs to be done. It has been pretty tough."

Raja also spoke about the absence of international matches in Pakistan. "We have experimented by staging our home Test series outside Pakistan but I don't think it works. The best thing under these circumstances is for Pakistan to explain and tell the world it is a safe place to come and play cricket."

Raja suggested that a campaign in the form of staging inviting the best players from around the world to Pakistan will be a solution.

Safe place

"The board should invite a World XI so that the cricketing world will be able to see that international players can safely come and play in Pakistan. This could be a good beginning for Pakistan because I still want to see the oncoming India-Pakistan series to be played in Pakistan," he said.

Raja pointed out that the danger of lack of exposure can be tremendous.

"Without exposure, players can tend to get rusty. They can even get afraid of international competition. Because I believe you need to play international matches to feel confident. Last year was a tough one for Pakistan and things can only get difficult for them if something is not done about it."

Raja feels that there is enough talent in Pakistan and it should be groomed properly. "The Under-19 cricket has thrown up a few promising pacers. Mohammad Talah, who toured with the Pakistan team for the Hong Kong Sixes, is quite sharp. So there are three or four pacers who are doing really well at the youth level," he concluded.