August 27, 2008	Wednesday	Sha'aban 24, 1429

KARACHI, Aug 26: Senior middle-order batsman Younis Khan on Tuesday disclosed that he would have accepted the Pakistan captaincy if late coach Bob Woolmer had not expired.

Speaking from his hometown Mardan, Younis said he would have accepted the captaincy after the 2007 World Cup if Woolmer had been alive and at the helm of affairs. “Woolmer was a great human being and a good coach. I liked working with him. If he had remained coach I would have taken up the captaincy when the board made me the offer after the resignation of Inzamam,” Younis said.

Woolmer died of natural causes during the 2007 World Cup in Jamaica, one day after Pakistan were eliminated from the mega event after their shock defeat to minnows Ireland. Inzamam resigned after the debacle and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) offered the captaincy to Younis who declined to accept the job.

“Being captain is a big responsibility and I would have only felt comfortable if a coach like Bob was there,” he said.

Younis, however, backed the current captain Shoaib Malik whom he felt should be given some more time. “Malik is not a bad captain and he needs to be given more exposure and opportunities. The board must be patient with him (Malik),” the senior batsman said.

“I believe the new chairman should be a professional who knows cricket closely and can communicate with the players,” he added.—Agencies