Yousuf’s close friends said that he was ‘distraught’ and almost speechless when he came to know about the PCB’s decision. ”Yousuf is contemplating retirement with immediate effect, but we are trying to talk him out of it. At the moment, he is very confused with this situation and hopefully things may improve and become clearer soon,” PakPassion.net quoted one of Yousuf’s close friends, as saying.

According to him, Yousuf was particularly upset over the treatment meted out to him by the PCB, as he came to know about the ban imposed on him only through media.

“All he wants to know is what he has done wrong. He has had no official correspondence from the Board or even a telephone call to explain where he has erred and has just heard about the punishment in the media. This is not the way to treat a Pakistani cricketing legend and someone who has served his country with dignity over the years,” he said.

Yousuf, who has played 88 Tests and scored 7,431 runs at a very impressive career average of 53, is Pakistan’s third-highest Test run-scorer ever besides being considered one of the classiest batsmen to have ever played for Pakistan. He stepped up to lead Pakistan recently for the tour of New Zealand during a time when Pakistan cricket was going through one of its worst phases. He was the skipper of the test team that travelled to Australia and was severely criticised for the team’s defeat in the second Test at Sydney.

Hasan, just 22, hit an unbeaten century and a half century in the three-day practice match against England and was a certainty to feature against the visitors in the first Test match beginning in Chittagong on Friday.

“He wrote a letter to us this morning, withdrawing himself from the Test series against England. He also announced his retirement from all forms of cricket,” Bangladesh Cricket Board director Jalal Yunus told AFP. “It has stunned us. He is a brilliant cricketer and played two superb knocks against England just days back. Coach Jamie Siddons and Raqibul’s parents tried to change his mind. But he is adamant.”

Hasan made his Test and one-day debuts in 2008 and has played seven Test matches and 41 one-day internationals. He is the only Bangladeshi player to have hit a triple century in first class cricket.

The March 27 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils, slated for 8 pm, has been advanced to March 25 at 4 pm. The Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders match will now be held at 8 pm on March 27 instead of the originally decided 4 pm.

The Corporation Council elections in Bangalore will be held on March 28, an IPL statement said.

Chasing 246 for victory from their allocation of 50 overs, Zimbabwe were dismissed for 104 in 31.5 overs – the lowest ODI total at the Arnos Vale Multiplex. Hamilton Masakadza was the highest scorer for Zimbabwe with 35 but no other batsman made more than 20, as the West Indies fast bowlers made light work of their batting line-up.

Kemar Roach also finished with impressive figures of 3 for 28 off 9 overs while Dwayne Bravo, returning from an injury, finished with 2 for 23.

“I am really happy with the result, and I am happy we continued from where we left off in Guyana,” said West Indies captain Chris Gayle. “Hopefully, we can continue in this vein, and finish off the job on Friday, and win the series. This is no time to relax. We still have to play hard cricket because we know that Zimbabwe will be coming back hard at us again.”

“We failed to bat properly,” said Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya. “We felt chasing 240 should have been too much of a challenge, but we just did not bat well. The West Indies’ bowlers made use of the conditions well. They bowled in the right areas, and they deserved to win. We only have a day to sort ourselves out, but it is important that we come back strongly.”

Earlier, Zimbabwe allowed West Indies to reach a respectable 245 for nine from their 50 overs after their spinners had, once again, tied down the top order batsmen.

The tourists, however, failed to keep a lid on the West Indies scoring towards the final stages of the innings. West Indies made a late charge with Dwayne Bravo getting 24 and Narsingh Deonarine 21. Elton Chigumbura was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers with two wickets for 43 runs from his allotment of 10 overs, and Utseya took two for 47 from 10 overs. Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit the top score of 58 from 76 balls for the West Indies.

The last two ODIs will be played at this venue on Friday and Sunday.

Match Summary:

West Indies 245 for 9 (Chanderpaul 58, Barath 35, Chigumbura 2-43) beat Zimbabwe 104 (Sammy 4-26, Roach 3-28) by 141 runs

Man of the Match: Darren Sammy

Pakistan’s cricket authorities on Wednesday morning banned Younis and Yousuf and took stern action against five other national cricketers on charges ranging from misconduct to ball tampering.

Those punished included former captain Shoaib Malik, Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan (one year bans), Shahid Afridi and the Akmal brothers, Kamran and Umar (six months probation and heavy fine).

Butt retracted from the earlier press release saying that the PCB has decided to go easy on the senior duo on the basis of recommendations made by a probe panel formed to look into the reasons behind Pakistan’s disastrous tour of Australia. Later in the evening, the PCB also issued a clarification on the issue.

“Some media channels have interpreted the first recommendation of the inquiry committee regarding Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan as being a life ban on these two players from playing for Pakistan,” said the PCB statement. “PCB wishes to clarify that the recommendation of the committee is not a life ban on these cricketers. There is no specified term in the recommendation for these two players. As and when the PCB deems appropriate, these players will be considered for selection for the national team.”

The PCB statement came more than four hours after it was announced that Younis and Yousuf will not be selected for international cricket in all three formats.

The PCB effectively put life bans on skipper Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan in what came as a completely unexpected development to everyone. Yousuf and Younis, two of Pakistan’s most senior players in the current team will never be able to play for Pakistan again but will be eligible for county and domestic cricket.

Former captain Shoaib Malik and fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan have been banned for a year and the Akmal brothers and Shahid Afridi have been put on probation for six months and have been fined between Rs 2-3 million for various misdemeanors.

The PCB on Wednesday implemented the recommendations of an inquiry committee formed to evaluate Pakistan’s dismal performance against Australia in December and January, where the Pakistan team failed to win a single match. The committee was led by Wasim Bari.

The inquiry committee had recommended that Yousuf and Younis no longer be part of the national team in any format because of their bad influence on the team and that Malik and Rana be banned for 12 months.

“Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan, keeping in view their infighting which resulted in bringing down the whole team — their attitude has a trickledown effect which is a bad influence for the whole team, should not be part of national team in any format,” the board said in its statement issued on Wednesday.

The PCB is, however, not calling the punishment a life ban. “They will not be part of any Pakistan team in any format from here on,” Taffazul Rizvi, the board’s legal advisor told Cricinfo. “A life ban means they cannot play domestic cricket or any other similar cricket, but we are not stopping them from that. They can play domestic cricket or county cricket here and abroad.”

Meanwhile, Rizvi refused to elaborate on the reasons behind such stringent action being taken against Yousuf and Younis but it is being believed that the PCB had just had enough of the pair. Younis twice had stepped down from the captaincy last year with player unrest being the reason both times. Yousuf, on the other hand, seems to have been dealt with a bit too harshly. His only possible sin could be that he led Pakistan on a winless tour to Australia and engaged thereafter in a public battle with Malik.

The cases of indiscipline that have led to one-year bans on Malik and Rana, similarly, have not been expanded upon. “Rana Naved ul Hasan and Shoaib Malik will be fined Rupees two million. They should not be part of national team in any format for a period of one year.”

In contrast, the cases of Akmal brothers and Shahid Afridi appear pretty straightforward. Kamran and Umar Akmal were fined for their behaviour in the aftermath of the Sydney Test; Kamran was dropped by the board for the final test but he openly said in the media that he would be selected in the team for the third Test. Younger brother Umar, on the other hand, was alleged to have feigned an injury to not play the Test in protest, though he did eventually play. Kamran has been fined Rs 3 million, Umar Rs 2 million and the pair are on probation for six months.

Pakistan’s T20 captain, Shahid Afridi, was punished for the ball-biting incident in the Perth ODI, where he was captain. He has already been handed a two-match ban by the ICC. “For the shameful act of Shahid Khan Afridi, which has brought the game and country into disrepute, he will be fined Rupees 3 million,” the board said. “A warning will be issued to him by the Chairman of PCB and he will be put on probation for 6 months, during which his conduct will be strictly monitored.”

The punishments are set to impact the composition of Pakistan’s World Twenty20 championship team. Pakistan is the defending champion in this format and the 15-man squad for the event is due to be announced by the end of this month.

The action is literally unparalleled in the world of cricket, even with respect to Pakistan’s troubled history.

The biggest and most shocking decision is the implementation, in effect, of life bans on skipper Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan, a completely unexpected development. Former captain Shoaib Malik and fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan have been banned for a year and the Akmal brothers and Shahid Afridi have been put on probation for six months and have been fined between Rs 2-3 million for various misdemeanors.

Yousuf and Younis, two of Pakistan’s most senior players in the current team will never be able to play for Pakistan again but will be eligible for county and domestic cricket.

The six-man committee completed its report last week and had sent it to Ijaz Butt. The chairman held a meeting with the selection committee on Monday in which he briefed them on the contents of the inquiry committee’s report. He warned the selectors – now headed by Mohsin Khan – that he had “shocking news” for them and proceeded to inform them of the details of the report.

Clarke left the current one-day trip and returned to Sydney on Tuesday due to “personal issues” involving his fiancée Lara Bingle, who is at the centre of a nude photo scandal. Clarke has been given leave but Michael Brown, Cricket Australia’s deputy, is unsure when the vice-captain will be back.

“I’ve talked to him over the last few days and we have a Test tour looming,” Brown said at the SCG. “I would hope he’s part of that group. But unless he’s ready to go, there’s no point going. We’ll talk again over the next couple of days and our intention hopefully is to get him back in the side for the Test match.”

The opening game begins in Wellington on March 19 and the Australian team is expecting that Clarke will be with the squad by then.

All-rounder Ryan Harris, who has recovered from an injury also returned to the Test squad, which also featured left-hand opening batsman Phillip Hughes, a Cricket Australia release said.

Meanwhile, young leg-spinner, Steven Smith, got the reward for his impressive performance in the Australian domestic circuit, as the 20-year-old was also included in the squad.

“The core of the squad is the Australian Test team that performed so well during the Australian summer in defeating West Indies and Pakistan,” Hilditch said.

“Ryan Harris, having overcome injuries at the start of the season, has played really well for Australia in the shorter formats of the game. The NSP are confident that if Ryan gets an opportunity he has the ability to have an impact for Australia in what will be a very hard Test series against New Zealand. Phillip Hughes has also been in excellent form at state level and richly deserves his selection on the back of another fantastic season in the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield,” Hilditch said.

“Steven Smith has had an excellent Shield season, including a big century against Tasmania recently, and of course has already demonstrated his ability to cope with the pressure of international cricket. He adds great flexibility to the squad with his exciting stroke-play, leg-spin bowling and gifted fielding,” the chief selector added.

Wellington will host the first Test and the second one will be held at Hamilton from March 27.

Squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Clint McKay, Marcus North, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.

Union Agriculture Minister and President elect of ICC, Sharad Pawar, Indian cricket team skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and BCCI president Shashank Manohar are fourth, fifth and sixth on the list respectively.

Some of the names in the 50 most influential people in Indian sports, including Tendulkar, tennis ace Sania Mirza (50th on the list), Beijing Olympics gold medalist shooter Abhinav Bindra (41st), Churchill Brothers Team owner Churchill Alemao (48th), Dempo Sports Team owner Shrinivas Dempo (49) were felicitated during a function here late last night.

“I wanted to play cricket wholeheartedly for the country. I am living my dream and have played with two-three generations. I wanted to be a special member of the team and I have done it,” Tendulkar said on the occasion.

Tendulkar added that he was still receiving congratulatory messages for becoming the first batsman in the history of one-day cricket to score a double hundred and that he was enjoying the good time.

“It has taken many years for a batsman to get a double-hundred (in ODIs). I am still getting great feedback. It feels terrific,” he said.

Asked about how he kept himself composed even after becoming the first Indian to win an individual gold medal in Olympics, Bindra said, “I have waited for it for the last 16 years.”

Meanwhile, Sania Mirza, who is recuperating from a wrist injury said she was on the way to recovery and was preparing for the Commonwealth games. “I am recovering from the injury. I should be back in a couple of weeks.”

As a special gesture, Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta (the most powerful woman at 23 on the list) was presented with a diamond studded cricket ball.

“We have made many changes and one of those is the change in attitude. You will see that when we play in the IPL,” said team owner and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan at a promotional event for the team on Tuesday.

KKR commence their campaign in the 45-day event on the opening night with a clash against defending champions Deccan Chargers at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

KKR skipper and former India captain Sourav Ganguly also echoed Shah Rukh’s views, saying that the T20 format of the game called for a different outlook.

“We want to play this format freely. This is what this format demands. We should all enjoy what we do. We will keep it simple. Whoever hits the white ball better will win,” he remarked when the new purple-colored team jersey was also unveiled.

Shah Rukh conceded the team did not have a good run in the first two editions. “We have had the nicest of runs as far as the economics of the team are concerned. Yes, we had not performed (on the field) to the extent that we can. We would put our best foot forward. We will gauge our success from the way we play the game. It would be nice if we could win the IPL,” he said.

Shah Rukh had no answer when asked about the continued stand-off between television news channels and the IPL authorities over covering the event. “I don’t understand it, it’s too complicated and convoluted. NBA (National Broadcasters Association) is a fantastic unit. Lalit Modi (IPL chief) and his team are also a fantastic unit. I hope the issue will be resolved,” he said.

KKR’s new chief coach Dav Whatmore and bowling coach Wasim Akram were also looking forward to the IPL saying that coaching in the IPL is an all-new experience for them. “It’s a new experience for me. It’s a challenge for us to get act together in six weeks. We will do everything possible we can,” Australia-born Whatmore said.

Former Pakistan captain Akram said, “It’s a new experience to me too. The team is very talented. The boys are working hard and I have the belief we will do well.”