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| October 08, 2006 | Sunday | Ramazan 14, 1427 |
PCB reinstates Younis as skipper for Champions Trophy
LAHORE, Oct 7: Pakistan cricket experienced a remarkable turnaround here on Saturday when Younis Khan was reinstated as captain for the ICC Champions Trophy just two days after he had refused to accept the role.The move was announced by the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Dr Nasim Ashraf, who took charge on Friday after the resignation of Shaharyar Khan.
Addressing a crowded press conference at the Gaddafi Stadium following a short meeting with team members in Lahore, Ashraf announced that Younis have been reinstated as skipper for the Trophy while Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan's captain for two days, would now be vice-captain. "Younis has agreed to lead the side again after I spoke to him and explained things to him,” said Ashraf.
Flanked by Younis, Yousuf and coach Bob Woolmer, Ashraf also disclosed that Sussex hero Mushtaq Ahmed had been released as assistant coach, because there was "no need" for the role.
Dr Ashraf said he was thankful to Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf for accepting his decision. "Now the same team which was announced about some weeks ago will go to India with same setup of Younis Khan as captain and Mohammad Yousuf as vice-captain," Dr Ashraf said.
"I hope the team will play with the same fighting spirit it displayed in the last tour of India, squaring the Test series and later winning the ODIs.
Younis had refused the captaincy abruptly on Thursday and announced the decision at a press conference without consulting the PCB. The board hurriedly elevated vice-captain Mohammad Yousaf as captain and named all-rounder Abdul Razzaq as his deputy.
But with the PCB chairman Shaharyar M Khan resigning from his post on Friday night and the elevation of Dr Ashraf as new chairman, things changed drastically and culminated in Younis reinstation.
"Our team is not second to any side in world cricket. We are looking at a positive future for Pakistan cricket.”
Although sounding confident about his new responsibilities as chairman PCB, Dr Ashraf avoided to answer a volley of questions regarding the sudden change of hear by Younis to accept captaincy after he had refused the same job for good on Thursday. "This chapter has been closed," was the curt reply from Ashraf.
The chairman insisted that the recent crisis would not affect the team performance in the Champions Trophy in any way. "I fully believe the team will give its best. To me win and loss does not matter. What matters is how the team fights," he said.
Asked if the PCB would take action against Younis for his decision of refusing the captaincy, as was announced by the outgoing chairman, Dr Ashraf again replied in the negative. "To me that chapter is closed as Younis has admitted his mistake. He (Younis) was also disturbed after taking the hasty decision."
However, Dr Ashraf was rather diplomatic when asked how much authority will be at Younis Khan’s disposal as skipper. "Younis Khan or any past or future captain of Pakistan team is not dummy. It is a professional outfit and Younis is empowered fully and he is the leader of the team," he said.
He was quick to add, though, that Younis has been named captain for the ICC Champions Trophy only.
Commenting on his plans for the Pakistan Cricket Board, Dr Ashraf said his mandate was good governance and he would strengthen it in the board. Praising the outgoing chairman Shaharyar Khan, Ashraf said he did a good job during his tenure.
He emphasised that all the decisions would be taken collectively and thee will no one-man show. "We will empower the board and will introduce corporate governance. The patron of the board, President General Pervez Musharraf has given clear instructions to revamp the board," he disclosed.
Dr Ashraf assured the press that PCB's constitution draft would be sent to the board's patron within 45 days. "The constitution is already finalized and after giving some final touches it will be sent to the president," he said. "We wanted to incorporate some clauses of corporate governance in it, so that the board can be run on professional ways," he said.
The chairman categorically said he would not allow any politics in the team. “Neither groupings nor any other such activity will be tolerated in the team in future," he warned. "We need to introduce more cricket ideas in the board to improve our academies and umpires' skill," he said.
In the end, Ashraf asked a dejected looking Bob Woolmer to cheer up. "I have the highest confidence in Bob. He is a thorough professional and significantly held this team for the last three years and we will back him 100 per cent. I have told Bob that it is his job as coach to run this team and he and the team will have all the support from the board. He has served Pakistan cricket well in the last few years and I absolutely have full faith and confidence in him," he said.
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