12 November, 2009
Pakistan has appointed Mohammad Yousuf as captain for the upcoming tour of New Zealand after incumbent Younus Khan asked to be rested.
Younus had requested a break from cricket following a poor show in the recently completed one-day series against the Black Caps in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan lost that series 2-1 with media reports afterwards suggesting Younus, who only last month offered his resignation from the post, had lost the confidence of his players.
The 31-year-old's request to sit out the three-match tour of the Shaky Isles is likely to intensify that speculation, although PCB chairman Ijaz Butt denied anything should be read into his decision.
"Younus asked to be excused for the tour of New Zealand," Butt confirmed ahead of the team's departure on Sunday.
"He said he wanted a break, so we have appointed Mohammad Yousuf as captain for the Test series. He has accepted the captaincy."
"Kamran Akmal will be his deputy."
"This has nothing to do with the one-day series defeat against New Zealand."
Pakistan had won the first match against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, but then crashed to consecutive defeats.
Younus was blamed for the defeats and his woeful form derided by former players and the media in Pakistan.
In the three matches, Younus managed a meagre 22 runs and a top score of 19.
Reports also suggested Younus had lost the confidence of the senior players in his team and Younus seemed to have indicated as much.
Asked why he should not take responsibility for the defeats, Younus said: "If I answer that question then a lot of things will have to be said."
Younus had offered to quit the captaincy following Pakistan's defeat to New Zealand in the Champions Trophy in South Africa, a loss which had sparked allegations of match-fixing.
The PCB, however, rejected his resignation and instead retained him as captain until the 2011 World Cup in the subcontinent.
One of Pakistan's most prolific middle-order batsmen, Yousuf returned to mainstream cricket in June this year following a stint with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League. He has been in and out of the one-day team since then.
The first Test against New Zealand starts on November 24 in Dunedin.