Younis appointed vice-captain
Thursday, 1 November 2007
After rejecting the captaincy twice in his career, Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has accepted the responsibility of taking over as the vice-captain for the tour of India, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced today. Younis takes over from opener Salman Butt, who held the post through the two-Test series against South Africa, reports Cricinfo.
Younis had served as the vice-captain of the side for nearly two years under Inzamam-ul-Haq, and was appointed captain during the Champions’ Trophy in India last year in Inzamam's absence. However, he announced in a press conference that he refused to be a 'dummy captain' and walked off, only to be reinstated under a new board administration two days later.
The board eventually opted for a young captain, Shoaib Malik, and after an impressive start was handed a one-year extension. Younis had another shot at leading the side, albeit briefly, when Malik went off the field during the second one-dayer against South Africa. With Butt, the official vice-captain, not in the playing XI, Younis took over and reportedly showed a lot of enthusiasm.
One of the probable reasons for the PCB not persisting with Butt is that he isn't able to hold his place in the one-day team, on account of his poor batting form. Though he was the official vice-captain, he sat on the bench through all five one-dayers against South Africa.
Younis had served as the vice-captain of the side for nearly two years under Inzamam-ul-Haq, and was appointed captain during the Champions’ Trophy in India last year in Inzamam's absence. However, he announced in a press conference that he refused to be a 'dummy captain' and walked off, only to be reinstated under a new board administration two days later.
The board eventually opted for a young captain, Shoaib Malik, and after an impressive start was handed a one-year extension. Younis had another shot at leading the side, albeit briefly, when Malik went off the field during the second one-dayer against South Africa. With Butt, the official vice-captain, not in the playing XI, Younis took over and reportedly showed a lot of enthusiasm.
One of the probable reasons for the PCB not persisting with Butt is that he isn't able to hold his place in the one-day team, on account of his poor batting form. Though he was the official vice-captain, he sat on the bench through all five one-dayers against South Africa.