Appoint Younus as Pakistan Test captain: Zaheer

Karachi:

Former captain Zaheer Abbas has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to immediately appoint senior batsman Younus Khan as the captain of the Test team for the forthcoming series against South Africa.

Zaheer said on Tuesday that the board had already wasted a big talent like Younus Khan due to its wrong policies.

"With the future of Salman Butt as test captain and player now uncertain because of the spot fixing scandal, the best choice to lead Pakistan is Younus Khan," he said.

"The board should not waste anymore time in appointing Younus as the test team captain because he is the ideal man to lead the team after the controversial tour to England," Zaheer said.

Younus has been ignored for selection in the national team since he last played in the one-day series in Australia early this year.

Although an appellate tribunal of the board removed an indefinite ban imposed on him after the Australian tour, the board Chairman has refused to give clearance to the selectors to consider Younus for the national team.

Chief selector Mohsin Khan made it clear that only those players should be considered for selection who were given clearance by the board on disciplinary and fitness grounds.

Zaheer said that it was unfortunate that despite having an experienced batsman and good leader like Younus the board was not utilising his services.

"Whatever problem there is between Younus and the board it needs to be sorted out quickly. Younus must meet with the board Chairman and also make himself available for Pakistan again," the former Test captain said.

Zaheer said the spot scandal had badly hurt Pakistan cricket and added a lot of pressure on Pakistani players.

"That is why the forthcoming series is going to be a tough task and the board must have the best man leading the test team."

Zaheer said by bringing back Younus the board would also allow him to get ready for the 2011 World Cup which was a few months away.

"Pakistan will require his experience in the World Cup. The tournament is not far away and I don't think we now have time or room for experimenting with new players," he said.