Younis to join team in Australia

Heeding to the SOS call by the Pakistan team, Younis Khan on Tuesday agreed to join the team-mates in Australia for the ongoing Test series but said he will never captain the side.

The Pakistan team management had requested Younis to join the team to bolster the batting line-up.

According to sources, chief selector Iqbal Qasim spoke to Younis about the request and the senior batsman agreed to fly to Australia but was firm on his decision of not leading the side in future.

"Qasim spoke to Younis today to find out his availability for the Australian tour and Younis made it clear to him that he was willing to fly out immediately but only as an ordinary member of the team," one source said.

"Younis told the chief selector that he is no longer interested in captaining the team again even in future and has no issues playing under the captaincy of Mohammad Yousuf in Australia or in future series," the source added.

Younis said he wanted to carry on representing the country as a senior player and didn't want the captaincy.

"Younis has said the selectors can send him anytime to Australia and he will accept the decision of the team management whenever they want him to play in the Tests. He just wants to concentrate on his batting now," the source said.

Younis had pulled out of the New Zealand Test tour in November, saying that he wanted a break from international cricket to regain form.

But reports were rife he opted out of the tour since a group of players was not supporting him or cooperating with him and had even demanded his ouster.

When contacted Qasim said he would be speaking to the PCB Chairman on Tuesday to decide when Younis should fly to Australia.

"He is a senior player and there is no doubt about his ability or experience, he has a batting average of 50 plus in Tests and I am sure he is capable of even regaining his form in Australia," Qasim added.

Younis was appointed captain early this year after the Board decided to replace Shoaib Malik as captain and in June-July came his biggest success when he led the team to Twenty20 World Cup win in England.

Problems emerged for Younis after the team returned from South Africa after being beaten in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy by New Zealand in October and reports claimed that some players were planning to revolt against him.

Younis quit after that but his resignation was not accepted by the PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt, who infact appointed him as captain until the 2011 World Cup subject to form and fitness.