Dumped from captaincy, Younus attends coaching course

A month after he was unceremoniously sacked as Pakistan captain, senior batsman Younus Khan on Monday made the first appearance for a cricketing activity but surprisingly for a coaching course organised by the Board at its National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

Younus, who lost captaincy to Mohammed Yousuf for the Test series in New Zealand and was not considered for the forthcoming Australian tour, is attending a five-day coaching course which started on Monday.

"Yes, Younus is attending level one coaching course which started today," PCB media manager Nadeem Sarwar said.

Sarwar said Younus had himself written to the Board expressing his interest in attending the course which is being supervised by the top coaches of the country.

"We saw no harm in Younus attending the course as he believes by attuning himself with the level one coaching course it will help his cricket career as well," he said.

Younus had been incommunicado with officials since he returned from England last month and didn't make himself available for the tour to Australia.

Chief selector Iqbal Qasim said despite repeated attempts Younus neither contacted him nor he played in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy so he was not considered for the Australian tour.

Sources said it was Younus' first visit to PCB headquarters after he pulled out of the New Zealand tour. He is likely to meet PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt and discuss his future plans.