Nice to hear this news - Mashaallah
Younis 'happy' to return as captain
Younis Khan has taken back his resignation, paving the way for his return to the Pakistan captaincy, satisfied that the environment in which he will continue leading the side is now more conducive than before.
Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, said on Monday that the board had rejected the resignation Younis handed in last week. At the same time he offered Younis the stability that he has wanted since becoming captain in February this year, saying that, if fit, he will captain Pakistan till the 2011 World Cup.
Younis said he was overwhelmed with the support he had received in the week after he handed in his papers at a National Assembly committee hearing in Islamabad. "I am very happy right now," Younis told Cricinfo. "The faith that the chairman and the board has placed in me again, it's good to know. The support that I have received from the board and the country through this time has been fantastic."
There were believed to be various reasons behind Younis's resignation, though he never openly stated them. It is believed that as well as the suspicions of match-fixing raised in the aftermath of Pakistan's Champions Trophy semi-final loss to New Zealand, murmurs about factions in the team and management working to undermine Younis spurred the move.
Younis met Butt last week and it is understood that he set down some conditions which would have to be implemented before he could come back. Stability of tenure was one, though those close to Younis insist he didn't want an assurance till the 2011 World Cup. A streamlining of the selection process, as well as changes in the team management were thought to be the other conditions.
Younis refused to go into details, however, maintaining only that, "the environment is good right now and I am very happy with it. All that has happened over the last eight months, all the effort is worthwhile now." Younis said he expects to be fit for Pakistan's next assignment, an ODI and Twenty20 series against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
YES........WE LOVE PAKISTAN
PCB rejects Younis resignation
Ijaz Butt, the Pakistan board chairman, has given Younis Khan the backing he wanted, insisting he will remain ODI captain until the 2011 World Cup. Butt ended days of speculation over the future of the Pakistan captaincy, reiterating once again that he had not accepted Younis' resignation.
Younis handed in his papers last week after attending a National Assembly committee meeting, in which allegations of match-fixing during Pakistan's semi-final loss to New Zealand were investigated. Those charges - as well as persistent politicking in the team by a group of players to undermine his leadership - were reasons believed to be behind his move
Butt, however, rejected the resignation and opted to meet Younis privately instead, in a bid to change his mind. It is believed that at the meeting Younis laid down conditions which had to be accepted before he could return: he wanted to streamline the selection process, an assurance of a lengthier tenure than just on a series-by-series basis, and also changes in the team management. The PCB held meetings to discuss the matter though the meeting with the governing board today is said not to have raised the subject.
Though Butt did not speak of any such conditions, he was unequivocal in his support for Younis. "When I first appointed him in January 2009, there was no tenure for his captaincy but obviously sometimes security is needed. He is definitely our captain till the 2011 World Cup provided he remains fit. His performance has been excellent, he is fit, he has won a World Cup and as long as the selectors keep picking him, he is our choice as captain," Butt told Cricinfo.
Earlier, Butt had rejected Younis' resignation during an eagerly-awaited press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, saying he understood why Younis handed in his papers. "I have not accepted Younis Khan's resignation. There is no justification in removing him as captain. I realise and understand his reaction. Had I been in his place I would've done the same."
