Mohammad Yousuf Replaces Younus khan as Pakistan Team captain

IN DUBAI: Pakistan on Wednesday appointed Mohammad Yousuf as captain for the Test tour of New Zealand after Younis Khan asked for a rest following the one-day series defeat against the same country.

‘Yes, Younis has asked for a rest so we have appointed Yousuf as captain for the three-Test tour,’ Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt told AFP, adding,’ it has nothing to do with the defeat against New Zealand.’

Pakistan lost the three-match series 2-1 after a narrow seven-run defeat in the final match on Monday.

Following the one-day series defeat, Pakistani media reported that Younis had lost the confidence of his fellow players, who wanted him to be replaced.

Pakistan will fly from here on Sunday to play three Tests in New Zealand.

• Ex-cricketers, media slam Younis Khan for loss

Pakistan lost the series decider by seven runs in Abu Dhabi on Monday despite young Mohammad Aamer scoring 73 runs – the highest ever individual score by a No. 10 batsman in the history of one-day internationals.

The Pakistani batsmen had earlier struggled to chase down a modest target of 212 runs on a placid wicket at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. They were reeling at 101-9 before Aamer and Saeed Ajmal brought them within sight of a sensational victory with a 103-run last wicket stand.

Younis, whose resignation letter was rejected by the Pakistan Cricket Board last month, was out of form with the bat in all three matches against New Zealand, managing 0, 19 and 3. But Pakistan preferred to rotate its three other inform batsmen Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal and Mohammad Yousuf in the series.

‘Other batsmen lose heart when they see their captain not scoring and it was unbelievable that those who were performing with the bat were given undue rest,’ Nawaz said. ‘No matter how big a team is, if you start resting your key players there’s no way you can win matches.

‘If Younis was sincere with Pakistan team, he should have not played in the last match and given Yousuf an opportunity.’

Former chief selector Abdul Qadir said it was hard to believe the way Pakistan batsmen threw their wickets on a pitch where young Aamer scored a magnificent half century.

Younis tried to quit as captain but was reinstated by the PCB until the 2011 World Cup as long as he stays fit and the selectors picked him in the squad.