I'm not a dictator: Younus

Karachi:

Pakistan captain Younus Khan has dismissed reports that he was running a one-man show in the national team and had assured the role of a 'dictator.'

"I really don't know from where all these stories are coming from. Because I can safely say I am not a dictator by any stretch of imagination and I consult everyone before taking decisions," Younus said from Colombo on Wednesday.

The senior batsman, who is under fire after his team's disappointing defeats in the Test and one-day series, said he believed in taking all the players along.

"All decisions are taken after collective discussions between myself, the vice-captain, manager and coach. I also keep other senior players in the loop and listen to their advice as well. So how can anyone say I am running a one-man show in the team," Younus said.

Sections of the Pakistani media have been carrying stories saying that the main reasons for the team's poor performance is Younus, who is running a one-man show in the team and is not communicating with other players and is behaving like a dictator.

Many believe that these stories are being circulated by the anti-Younus lobby and those who fear that the poor performances could lead to the axing of the team coach and manager.

Younus said he was also not in favor of making too many changes in the team or dropping senior players.

"We are going through a bad phase and we have just not played like we can. Our players just need to take more responsibility and one good win can change everything," he said.

Younus said all the talk about severe discord within the team and match fixing allegations were not true and the team was suffering because it had not performed well.

"We are to blame for this situation because we just didn't play well. Our fielding standards have not been good.

Things have not clicked but don't forget this same team six weeks won the T20 World Cup," he added.

Younus made it clear he had clear views on how to run things as captain but in the end players needed to contribute for the team to do well.

Pakistan's manager, Yawar Saeed also dismissed reports about Younus behaving like a 'dictator' and supported him.

"I can say with certainty because I know that Younus believes in taking the team along on every issue and he is not running a one-man show. Selection issues are not decided by one person it is a collective decision," he added.