After Mohammad Yousuf, former captain Younus Khan may join the Pakistan team in England after cricket board (PCB) chairman Ejaz Butt has cleared the way for the senior batsman’s return to the national side.

According to sources in the selection committee, Butt has finally given his nod to consider Younus for the final Test against England at Lords and the subsequent one-day series that follows.

“The board and selectors should be making an official announcement in next few days about Younus Khan. But if the tour selection committee and selectors in Pakistan agree then he might be flown to England to join the team for the fourth and final Test,” one source said.

He said Butt had given clearance to Younus after coming under increasing pressure from all quarters as to why the former captain was not being sent to England despite his excellent track record there.
Another former skipper Yousuf was also called out of retirement earlier this month to join the team in England on the instructions of the PCB chief.

Yousuf appeared in his first Test since February when he took the ground in the ongoing third match against England at the Oval. He also scored a solid 58 to justify his selection in the national team.

Both Yousuf and Younus were banned for indefinite periods by PCB in March for indiscipline after the shambolic tour to Australia.

Younus appealed against his ban but Yousuf decided to retire from international cricket in protest against the ban.

Ironically, while Younus was ignored for selection despite the PCB appellate tribunal lifting his ban in June, Yousuf was called out of retirement to join the team after Pakistan lost the first two Tests to England.

Butt had insisted that Younus would have to first apologise for the remarks he and his lawyer made against the board during the hearing which the right-hander simply refused to do.

“Butt has changed his stance on Younus after the involvement of other parties and he is now keen to see Younus joining the team in England. The selectors have also been told to get in touch with the former captain,” the source said.