The Pakistan Test squad announced for the upcoming tour to New Zealand had one surprising omission: Mohammad Yousuf, the experienced batsman.
Yousuf's exclusion, apparently for lack of fitness, is unwarranted.
The fitness excuse seems somewhat contrived given there is more than ample time for Yousuf to prove he is in good shape before the New Zealand tour commences on January 7.
The Pakistan squad was announced on November 30 so Yousuf had five weeks to fully recover from a minor groin injury.
In the past, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provisionally selected even fringe players for tours subject to them clearing fitness tests, so it is bizarre that a similar approach was not applied to a player with Yousuf's record.
The only logical explanation would be that the PCB has yet again decided to close the curtains on an illustrious career. Is this finally the end of the road for Yousuf?
It is difficult to fathom the PCB's logic, or what passes for it, at the best of times, but one suspects that the PCB feels, quite erroneously, that Yousuf has been involved in one controversy too many.
It is sad if they have taken this decision as Yousuf is one of the few recent Pakistan players whose honesty and integrity on the field is above reproach and who, along with Younus Khan, should be the fulcrum of a "clean" and "controversy-free" Pakistan Test side for the next 12 months.
That Yousuf still has something to contribute to the Pakistan team should not be in doubt. His mere inclusion in the squad during this summer's tour to England boosted the confidence of Pakistan batsmen and the younger players such as Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq benefited enormously from his calming influence at the crease and in the dressing room.
His last international outing before this summer was in the ill-fated tours to New Zealand and Australia a year ago, low-scoring encounters where Yousuf often appeared to be the best batsman from either side. He was timing and hitting the ball beautifully, and with a bit more luck, would have scored much more heavily than he did.
So citing a lack of form as a reason to axe Yousuf simply does not wash. Yousuf is experienced in the difficult batting conditions in New Zealand, and averages an impressive 55 in his previous eight Tests there.
It would be a travesty if Yousuf's remarkable career, in which he achieved so much for his team and country, ends in such inglorious circumstances. There have been some brilliant highs over the last 12 years, where Yousuf's class saved the frail Pakistan batting line-up time and time again.
The numbers tell their own story: 7,530 runs in 90 Tests, at a hugely impressive average of 52.29, and 9,720 one-day international runs at an average of 41.71.
Yousuf has scored those runs in style and his batting has always been a treat for connoisseurs. The silken touch, the wonderful timing, and the supple wrists made him one of the most watchable of modern-day batsmen.
Coming from a poverty-stricken background and a minority community, Yousuf has faced formidable obstacles all his life.
Despite his phenomenal ability, he only began his first-class career at the relatively ripe old age (in Pakistani context) of 22, as earning money to feed his family was more of a priority than participating at cricket trials and camps.
He had neither the financial means nor the family connections that are often needed by young cricketers in Pakistan; just an abundance of talent, and it was talent alone that eventually led to a belated international debut when he was almost.
He has not looked back since, scoring mountains of runs in all conditions and against all manner of opposition.
Some of his best knocks were scored when the going was tough; back to back centuries against a rampaging West Indian attack spearheaded by Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh on their home turf in 2000; fighting knocks facing Australia's Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne in 1999 and in 2004; match-winning centuries and double centuries against England's high-quality, Ashes winning pace attack of Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff in 2005 and in 2006; and match winning contributions in difficult conditions in New Zealand in 2003, in Zimbabwe and in India.
Like most modern-day Pakistan greats, Yousuf's career has not been without controversy. There is the well-known defection to the Indian Cricket League (ICL) in 2007, but Yousuf was hardly the only player who played in the ICL.
His decision to play in the ICL was an understandable reaction to the PCB's bizarre and politically motivated refusal to select him for the Pakistan team, despite having scored more runs in a calendar year than any other batsmen in cricket's 130 year history. Instead of lauding such a remarkable talent and building a team around him, the PCB chose to ban him for his ICL defection, and Pakistan cricket lost two of Yousuf's best years as a batsman.
Things have been difficult for him since his return from the ICL ban, exacerbated by the PCB's mindless and inept banning of the best Pakistan players, and employing a strategy inspired by a game of musical chairs to award the Test captaincy.
PCB's poor man management is ultimately to blame for Yousuf's poor returns of late; both Younus and Yousuf should have been the linchpins of the team.
What next then for Yousuf's rags to riches story? He has been a remarkable servant of Pakistan cricket and while a way back into the side appears to be blocked, Yousuf has done it before, most remarkably at the outset of his career.
Many would have considered the chances then to be insurmountable, but Yousuf's determination, desire and talent have brought him thus far; they may yet take him further.
sports@thenational.ae
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Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Match info
Liverpool 4
Salah (19'), Mane (45 2', 53'), Sturridge (87')
West Ham United 0
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EInform%20your%20doctor%20about%20your%20plans.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAsk%20about%20your%20treatment%20so%20you%20know%20how%20it%20works.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPay%20attention%20to%20your%20health%20if%20you%20travel%20to%20a%20hot%20destination.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPlan%20your%20trip%20well.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
