order batsman Mohammad Yousuf replaced Younus Khan as Pakistan captain for the Test series against New Zealand, the Pakistan Cricket Board said Wednesday. “Mr. Younus Khan has requested a break from international cricket and hence will skip Test series against New Zealand,” the PCB said. “Mr. Yousuf has been named captain and (wicketkeeper) Kamran Akmal as his deputy.” Former Test cricketers had questioned Younus' leadership qualities and his recent form. There were also reports of rift between Younus and some of the senior players soon after Pakistan lost in the semifinals of the Champions Trophy – also against New Zealand – last month. “Yousuf should have been made captain after 2006. But even now, after three years, the PCB has made the right decision,” former chief selector Abdul Qadir said. “I hope Yousuf manages to unite the team.” Last month, Lower House's Standing Committee on Sports cleared the Pakistan team of any wrongdoing in Champions Trophy defeats to Australia and New Zealand. Outspoken former Test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz said Younus had run out of options after a poor performance against New Zealand in the one-day series. “I think it is a wise call,” former captain Rameez Raja said. “When you are out of touch as Younus was, you tend to react to situations and it becomes a negative thought which starts to engulf the team and affect the team's performance,” said Rameez. “Questions were asked about Younus' batting form, so he has taken a wise decision to take time out, regain his form in domestic matches and come with a new vigor.” Another former captain Inzamam said Younus had lost confidence with his fellow players. “I think the biggest task a captain faces is to unite his players,” said Inzamam, who retired two years ago. Younus refused to blame any player for his decision. “I have no grudge against anyone,” said. “I have taken this decision after serious thought and will play domestic matches to regain my form and then come back. It is not the end of my career.” Shahid Afridi described Pakistan's defeat in the ODI series as “shameful” but was hopeful his players could lift their performance for the two-match Twenty20 series starting in Dubai Thursday. “We need to stick to the basics and do our best to win both the matches,” said Afridi. Opener Imran Nazir and all-rounders Sohail Tanvir and Fawad Alam have joined the squad for the Twenty20 series. Younus, Mohammad Yousuf, Salman Butt and Wahab Riaz have all been left out. The second Twenty20 match here will be played Friday. ODI washed out The seventh and final One-Day International between India and Australia was called off without a ball being bowled Wednesday because of a water-logged ground following heavy rain from a cyclone. Australia clinched the series 4-2 to repeat its 2007 winning performance in its last ODI series in India. Australia allrounder Shane Watson was awarded the best player of the series for his performances with the bat and ball.
