Yousuf's claims are totally unfair: Malik

Lahore, Nov 8 (UNI) Expressing surprise over Mohammad Yousuf's criticism that the shabby treatment meted out to him by Pakistan skipper and the PCB has prompted him to join the Indian Cricket League (ICL), Shoaib Malik asserted that the middle-order batsman's claim was totally unfair and disappointing.

''I hold no grudge towards him (Yousuf) so why will I be disrespectful,'' Malik told mediapersons yesterday.

Rejecting Yousuf's claim, Malik said till now he wasn't even aware that Yousuf had any problems with him.

''I don't agree with Yousuf's criticism. Respect is something that only God can give, not us.

''I've played with senior players like Inzamam and Yousuf throughout my whole career and have learnt a lot from them. I'm surprised at his accusation that I was disrespectful towards him,'' Malik stressed.

He further added, ''I never felt Yousuf was upset over anything.

In the domestic matches everything was normal. All senior players have been supportive. Yousuf didn't play in the last match because I was told his wife was ill.'' Malik, however, pointed out that the veteran batsman trained with him for Pentangular Cup matches and never complained about anything.

But the 26-year-old Malik, who was handpicked by the former PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf to lead the Pakistan team after Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down as captain, agreed that the PCB overlooked several more senior players for captaincy including Yousuf, Younis Khan and Shahid Afridi.

Yesterday, Yousuf told 'Geo News' that his decision to join the ICL was prompted by the attitude of the captain and the PCB rather than the money involved.

UNI XC PY RKM RAI1715