January 28, 2009	Wednesday	Safar 01, 1430

LAHORE, Jan 27: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday replaced Shoaib Malik with Younis Khan as captain of the national cricket team after a humiliating defeat against Sri Lanka, its chairman said.

“Malik has accepted to step down after the Sri Lanka defeat and we have appointed Younis as the new captain for an indefinite period,” Ijaz Butt told reporters.

Mr Malik was appointed captain after Pakistan’s first round exit from the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. His tenure as captain was extended for an indefinite period earlier this month. The 2-1 series defeat against Sri Lanka, however, sparked a furious reaction in cricket-crazy Pakistan.

Mr Younis said he would try to forge unity in the team. He will assume his new duties in the two-Test home series against Sri Lanka next month.—AFP