Dubai: Younis Khan, the skipper of the Pakistan team is ready to come out of his retirement from Twenty20 cricket and play in the two Twenty20 matches in Dubai on November 12 and 13.
"If the team needs me and since the matches are to be held in Dubai, it will be nice to play here," remarked Khan on arrival in Dubai for the series against New Zealand.
Khan had retired from Twenty20 cricket after leading Pakistan to victory in the Twenty20 World Cup in England recently. He is also not named in the Twenty20 squad for Dubai that is being led by Shahid Afridi.
When asked what has prompted him to return to Twenty20 cricket, Khan said: "A lot of people especially many youngsters told me that it is important that I continue playing Twenty20 cricket too. If they still want and if my country still needs my service for this form of the game, then I am ready. I will do anything for my country and for my teammates. So you may see me in Twenty20 cricket again."
Khan had quit as the captain following match fixing allegations during the Champions Trophy but the Pakistan Cricket Board refused to accept his resignation.
Khan said about the incident: "I have just come out of a huge controversy. This time my whole nation was behind me and I am happy that each and every one in Pakistan backed me in the incident. Today my mind is free and I can concentrate on my captaincy and on my form as well as the team."
Khan feels that New Zealand will not be an easy team to beat despite the absence of many of their top players due to injury.
"The positive factor about the New Zealand team is that they play as a team. They do not depend on only one player and that is why they reached the final of the Champions Trophy despite injuries to their top players. It will be tough competition here," he said.
It was New Zealand that upset Pakistan's chances of reaching the final of the Champions Trophy by beating them in the semifinal. To a query whether this series would be a revenge series for Pakistan, Khan said: "It will not be a revenge series but we have the desire in our mind to defeat them. We cannot easily forget the defeat to New Zealand in the semifinal."
Khan is keen to win this series for his country.
"When we lifted the Twenty20 World Cup it was a great moment for my nation. If we can win this series too it can bring a lot of cheer for my country and can motivate my countrymen. Cricket is one sport that everyone follows in my country so once again the whole nation will be behind us," said Khan.
Commenting on New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori's remark that Pakistan pacer Mohammad Aamer will be the most dangerous man in the team, Khan said: "We have many match winners and not just Mohammed Aamer alone."
