Younus sacked as Pakistan captain

Lahore: Pakistan captain Younus Khan has been sacked following the ODI series loss to New Zealand in Abu Dhabi.



Wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal has been made Yousuf’s deputy for the series against New Zealand, The News reports.

Sources said Khan himself had urged the selectors not to consider him for the series against the Black Caps as he needed a break from the hectic international schedule, but insiders revealed it was much more than what was reported.

Earlier, three senior players of the team had reportedly asked PCB chief Ijaz Butt to remove Khan, saying his imposing attitude was affecting team performance.

It has also been revealed that Khan, following his soft dismissal in last and final one-day international against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on Monday, had an altercation with some of his senior teammates.

Sources said that Khan does not share a cordial relationship with some senior players like vice-captain Shahid Afridi, former captain Shoaib Malik, and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.

The absence of prolific middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf from the last ODI against the Kiwis also highlighted that all was not well inside the Pakistani dressing room.

“The senior players are not happy with Younus’ attitude and how he shuffles the batting order to cover his own shortcomings,”sources privy to the team’s dressing room had said.

“The chairman (Ijaz Butt) had promised to summon a board meeting as soon as possible for further investigation into this matter,” they added then.

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