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Younis Khan is new Pakistan cricket captain

by Sanjay Jha | January 28, 2009 at 02:42 am

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Younus Khan has replaced Shoaib Malik as the captain of the Pakistan team following their record defeat in a one-day international.Malik was appointed captain after the 2007 World Cup campaign and was told in early January that he would remain as skipper for an indefinite period.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday replaced Shoaib Malik with Younis Khan as captain of the national cricket team after a humiliating defeat against Sri Lanka, its chairman said.

“Malik has accepted to step down after the Sri Lanka defeat and we have appointed Younis as the new captain for an indefinite period,” Ijaz Butt told reporters.

Mr Malik was appointed captain after Pakistan’s first round exit from the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. His tenure as captain was extended for an indefinite period earlier this month. The 2-1 series defeat against Sri Lanka, however, sparked a furious reaction in cricket-crazy Pakistan.

Mr Younis said he would try to forge unity in the team. He will assume his new duties in the two-Test home series against Sri Lanka next month.