Yousuf to lead Pakistan against New Zealand

Controversial Younis Khan was on Tuesday replaced as captain of Pakistan's cricket team amid intense speculation that he was sacked in the wake of a players' revolt though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) insisted that the change was done only because the veteran batsman wanted to take rest.

Two days after Pakistan's ODI series defeat against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, the PCB appointed seasoned batsman Mohammad Yousuf as captain for the three-match Test tour of New Zealand.

"Younis has asked for rest and that is why Mohammad Yousuf has been named captain," PCB chairman Ejaz Butt said.

But despite Butt's explanation rumours were strong that the whole drama to change the captain was taken by him after several senior players flatly refused to play under Younis during a meeting in Dubai, where Pakistan play two Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand on Thursday and Friday.

Younis had come under growing criticism after Pakistan lost the semi-final of the Champions Trophy to New Zealand in which, he played with a broken finger.

His own batting form came under fire after he failed to perform in the Champions Trophy and the recent One-day series defeat to New Zealand in Abu Dhabi.

Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq had insisted that, Younis had failed to unite the players and was damaging the team with his stubbornness. Sources said after Butt offered the captaincy to Yousuf, he asked for sometime and first spoke to Inzamam before giving his acceptance.

"There is no doubt that Inzamam has played a major role behind the scenes in prompting this change. Even if Younis has himself decided to take a break from international cricket, it was because of the growing pressure on him as batsman and captain," the source said.

Butt, however, made it clear that the change was only for the Test series in New Zealand that starts from November 24.

"We will see the situation after the series and whether Younis makes himself available. No decision has been taken on the captaincy for the test tour of Australia," Butt insisted.

Reminded that the board had appointed Younis as captain until the 2011 World Cup after rejecting his resignation following the Champions Trophy, Butt said he had also made it clear that his captaincy stint depended on his form and fitness.

Butt said that the decision to appoint Yousuf as captain was taken in the interest of Pakistan cricket. "I think Younis has also taken a good decision to take a break from international cricket as he needs a break to recoup himself. He remains a valuable player for us," Butt added.

Sources said with Yousuf and Kamran Akmal — one of the key members of the rebel group — now made captain and vice-captain, there was a strong possibility of Inzamam also coming in as an advisor or coach of the team for the coming series.

"Yousuf has already floated this idea to the PCB chairman as the players are also not happy with coach Intikhab Alam," the source said.