Under-pressure Younus wants team to take responsible

Karachi:

The frustration of defeats in Sri Lanka and the subsequent allegations of match-fixing and discord in the team are telling on Pakistan captain Younus Khan, who feels all the players should take responsibility for the current turmoil.

"I am not solely answerable for the team's poor performance. Every player must take responsibility for the team and I can't tolerate losing without a proper fight," Younus said in an interview in the 'Express' newspaper today.

He also made it clear that alleged match fixing or discord within the team were not the reasons for the poor performances which led to Pakistan losing the Test and one-day series for the first time in Sri Lanka .

"As a captain I am responsible for all decisions on the field and for my own batting. But other players must be answerable for their own performances and they must feel the responsibility themselves. Cricket is a team game not an individual's game," Younus said.

Younus said should be given more independence.

"Some boards consider it necessary to involve the vice-captain, manager, captain and even senior players with the captain in selection matters," he added.

"When Imran Khan was captain he took decisions independently. Even when Inzamam-ul-Haq was captain even coach Bob Woolmer sat quietly when it came to selection matters," he stated.