Younis Khan denies reports of ODI retirement post World Cup

Younis Khan has denied reports of his retirement post ongoing World Cup

Senior Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has denied reports of him bidding the 50-over format adieu following the 2015 World Cup Down Under.

Based on the tweets from a Twitter account @TheYounusKhan, there were reports doing the rounds that the 37-year-old was going to retire after the World Cup.

However, Younis has clarified that he didn’t have an official account on the social networking site and added that he hasn‘t made any decision with regards to his ODI future so far.

"I am working hard to come good in batting and have not decided anything like that,” Younis told AFP on Wednesday.

"I have no Twitter account and it's (the story about his retirement) fake,” he added.

A couple of tweets were posted on the account that carried his name, which spoke about him retiring from 50-over cricket and also thanking his fans for providing him support throughout his career.

The right-hander has had a terrible beginning to his 2015 World Cup campaign, having scored just 6 runs in 2 matches so far and has received a lot of flak for former players for his performance so far.

Former Pakistan cricketer and member of the 1992 World Cup winning team Javed Miandad said he didn’t understand the rationale behind playing the 37-year-old as an opener and that decision has increased his problems further.

"What's the rocket science of promoting Younis Khan as an opener?," Miandad wrote in his column for the ICC website.

"If you are not an opener you tend to struggle against the new ball and if you are not in form, it only compounds your problems," he added.

Another member of that successful campaign, Rameez Raja wanted Younis to leave the ODI set-up immediately and asked the batsman to personally ask the team management for a break.

"I beg of Younis. Thank you for your services to Pakistan cricket but please leave this ODI side now," Raja told a Pakistan news channel on Tuesday.

"I think Younis should tell the management he should be rested,” he added.

The experienced batsman was selected in the 15-man squad for the mega event, following a brilliant run with the bat in the longer format of the game in 2014, where he scored 1064 runs in 9 matches at an average of 66.50 with 5 centuries to his credit.

I Will Retire From ODI Cricket After 2015 World Cup .Will Continue To Play Test Cricket #Cricket #CWC15

— Younis Khan Official (@TheYounusKhan) February 24, 2015

Thank you so much for all your support and prayers throughout my ODI career... it means alot to me.. love you all!

— Younis Khan Official (@TheYounusKhan) February 24, 2015