Younis Khan expresses his desire to play in the 2015 World Cup

Younis Khan

Pakistan’s batting mainstay Younis Khan has said that he is eager to be part of the team at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.

The 36-year-old, who scored centuries in each innings during his team’s win over Australia in the first Test, was ignored for the ODI series that preceded the Tests. He was adjudged the player of the match for his performance in the match.

He has, however, appealed to the selectors to show faith in his abilities as a limited-overs batsman and has added that he is ready to represent his country in the mega event next year.

Select players based on their form, not age

He also added that form, and not age, should be the criteria for picking players in the team.

"I just feel that the selectors should not take into consideration age, position or colour while selecting teams. No matter what age a batsman is, if he is in form and has match fitness he should be selected to play in ODIs," he said, speaking to Geo Sports Channel.

"The idea should be to play the players in form. Age should not be a bar. If any player can serve Pakistan cricket in the World Cup he should be considered for selection. It is about playing the right combination for a match or event.

“Playing for Pakistan has been the biggest high for me and I have not given up hope of playing in the World Cup. I will just try to carry on my form in the second Test against Australia and than we have three Tests against New Zealand. I will give it my best shot the rest is up to the selectors.”

Younis, who captained his country to their maiden World T20 title in England in 2009, now has more centuries than any other Pakistani batsman in Test cricket. He achieved this feat after scoring an unbeaten 103 off 147 balls in the second innings of the first Test against the Aussies, overtaking Inzamam-ul-Haq’s tally of 25 tons.

The axing from the ODI side almost led to the right-hander pulling out of the current Test series.

Appreciate the support

He also thanked his family and other ex-cricketers for standing by him during the tough times.

"I am really grateful to all those people who supported me in recent months especially the Pakistan media and my family and friends and people like Rashid Latif and Basit Ali who spoke up for me. I am just happy I could live up to their faith in me," Younis said.