New Delhi, July 29: Yusuf Pathan courted controversy with the BCCI by saying that his brother Irfan has been left out of the Champion’s Trophy squad because of reasons unrelated to cricket.
“Irfan’s performance was always up to the mark. He has not been left out because of his performance. Everybody has seen what is happening,” an angry Yusuf responded when asked for his reaction on Irfan’s omission from the probables squad.
“What will I comment,” Yusuf went on. “It is for you (the media) to react and comment on what is happening.”
In what is possibly an indication that all is not well within Indian cricket, Yusuf reiterated that his brother’s performance was not the reason for his omission.
“Irfan’s performance was always up to the mark. He has not been left out because of his performance,” he further said.
However, former Indian cricketer Maninder Singh disagreed with Yusuf and said Irfan Pathan’s performance in T20 and One-day matches has been below par.
“He should refrain from saying what he’s saying. Even though I have been advocating that Irfan should be in the Twenty20 and One-day side, his performance is below par.
“Since his younger brother is not performing well, Yusuf should stop advocating his brother’s case. Irfan can’t bowl four overs in Twenty20 and if it’s One-day he cant bowl his quota of 10 overs.”
“Yousuf is making his case weaker as well by getting on to wrong side of selectors,” Maninder said.
—-Agencies