Younus disappointed at bid price at IPL auction

Younus disappointed at bid price at IPL auctionPTIPrintSaveWrite to EditorMail
KARACHI, February 23: After Australian captain Ricky Ponting, Pakistan batsman Younus Khan is another player to express disappointment at not fetching a bigger bid price in the Indian Premier League players' auction. Younus, who is captaining the North-West Frontier Province in the ongoing Pentangular tournament, told reporters he was surprised at the low price tag he attracted from the city teams taking part in the IPL Twenty20 event. The Jaipur franchise signed on Younus for a bid price of $225,000, which is far less than the $675,000 obtained by Shahid Afridi, $650,000 by Mohammad Asif and $500,000 by Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik. "It is a bit worrying because I was expecting a more attractive price tag," Younus said. "It is less than my expectations and it is a little bit of worry for me but I am confident that it (money) will improve next time with better performance," he said. Ponting, who was signed on by the Kolkata team for $400,000, has also expressed disappointment at the price he fetched at the auction. However, Younus said he remained a strong believer that performance would eventually help in achieving the targets he has set. "I know one thing that if I perform better, I will be given a better offer and I am committed to achieving that goal in the IPL," he stated. The Pakistan Cricket Board Younus hopes that India will tour the country for a short One-day series with Australia likely to come only for a curtailed visit. Younus felt the series against the archrivals will prepare Pakistan to take on the world champions.