Yousuf to play league cricket in Bangladesh

Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf has signed up to play with Bangladesh club Mohammedan Sporting in the Premier Division Cricket League in Bangladesh. The club has brought in Yousuf in place of Sri Lanka allrounder Farveez Maharoof, who returned home after sustaining an injury.

Yousuf, 36, who was ruled out the Test series against in South Africa in November due to a groin injury, was not picked for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand due to concerns over his fitness. Yusuf has played 90 Tests for Pakistan, averaging 52.29, but since the beginning of 2008 he has averaged just under 35 in 11 Tests, with a solitary hundred.

"I have no idea about the competition [in Bangladesh] but you know cricket is cricket," Yousuf told reporters after he completed the contractual formalities at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka. "I can understand the standard and nature of the competition after playing the first couple of games. I want to play all the matches if I am not selected for national duty. As a professional cricketer it would not be hard to motivate myself in this competition."

Several Pakistan cricketers including former fast bowler Wasim Akram have played in the Premier Division Cricket League.