Younus' pull out, Misbah's gain

Karachi:

Discarded batsman Mibah-ul Haq is the likely beneficiary of captain Younus Khan's decision to skip Pakistan's forthcoming Test tour of New Zealand.

Batting mainstay Mohammad Yousuf on Wednesday replaced controversial Younus as Pakistan captain for the Test tour of New Zealand, igniting speculations that he was sacked in the wake of the players' rebels even though Pakistan Cricket Board insisted that the change in guard was done as the right-hander wanted a break.

However, Younus decision came as a blessing in disguise for Misbah who is expected to return to the side after being dropped for the just-concluded ODI series against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi and Dubai which Pakistan lost 1-2 as well as for the Test tour of New Zealand.

But since his ouster from the national team, Misbah been scoring runs consistently, including a double hundred on the day he was shown the door from the team.

"It is obvious that Misbah is going to be recalled in the Test side to fill in the vacant position left by Younus Khan," one source close to the selectors said.

The PCB also appointed wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal as Yousuf's deputy for the New Zealand tour.

The source said Misbah is likely to be asked to join the team in New Zealand as he is presently playing league cricket in Bangladesh for which the PCB has give him permission.