Yousuf's recall risks tourists' fragile unity

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP):

A psychologically battered Pakistan side takes on England in the second Test at Edgbaston today, with the selectors poised to take a huge gamble by recalling former captain Mohammad Yousuf.

Within 24 hours of the 354-run defeat by England in the first Test at Trent Bridge, Yousuf, having coming out of international retirement, was summoned from Pakistan in a high-risk move by the selectors.

Yousuf's condition has to be open to question. He only received a visa on Wednesday and was due in Britain yesterday after a 10-hour flight, less than 24 hours before the Test starts.

Although Yousuf, 35, averages 53 in Tests, he has only played Twenty20 cricket in the past six months, and bringing him back into the squad risks re-opening the bitter wounds exposed in May, when a video of an inquiry into player behaviour was leaked to Geo Super TV.

Shoaib Malik, one of many former Pakistan captains still haunting the current set-up, was seen saying: "His (Yousuf's) captaincy in Australia was pathetic."

Malik, in turn, was accused of refusing to perform for Yousuf, while the new captain Salman Butt may struggle to forget the public admonition he received from Yousuf after running him out against Australia in Hobart in January.

Mystery

Who Yousuf replaces is also a matter of conjecture as the only Pakistan player to play a significant innings at Trent Bridge was the bowler Umar Gul, with 65 not out in the first innings.

The contrast with England's serene preparations is stark.

With every passing Test, England sound increasingly like recent all-conquering Australian sides, as the players talk of "executing gameplans" and backing themselves.

There is concern over Kevin Pietersen's form - he hasn't made a century since the tour of the West Indies in March 2009 - while Alastair Cook could also do with some runs.

But, unless there is an injury, the England starting line-up will almost certainly be unchanged.