Yousuf ready for Australian challenge

Karachi:

After being retained as Pakistan captain for the upcoming tour of Australia, a confident Mohammad Yousuf has said that he is ready with the challenge of leading the national side on a tough tour.

Yousuf, who was named captain yesterday by the board in absence of regular skipper Younus Khan after the latter made himself unavailable for the tour, thanked national selectors for reposing faith in him and recognising his commitment towards team.

The tour which will start from this month includes three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals.

"My approach has always remained the same that is to keep the players united and get them to gel together because I believe that success is not possible without all the members of the squad contributing on the field and in the dressing room," the veteran middle-order batsman said, who has played 84 tests and 278 ODIs.

"I have tried to keep the players happy so that they can focus on their cricket and give their best performances," he said.

On the reports of his differences with former skipper Younus Khan, Yousuf said he personally has no issues with him.

"If there are any issues, it is between the board and Younus as personally I have a very good relationship with him."

The senior batsman said he had always treated Younus in the same way as treated other players with respect.

"At the end of the day we are all representing Pakistan and we all need to do our best for the country.

"As long as the players are giving their 100 per cent, I am satisfied. Victory and defeat is part and parcel of the game but what is important is that players show total commitment towards their job," Yousuf said.

Pakistan had lost the first Test to New Zealand in Dunedin but bounced back under Yousuf's captaincy to win the second in Wellington with Yousuf himself coming in to bat at the crucial number three spot, a position occupied usually by Younus Khan.