Inzamam-ul-Haq’s loss will be Younis Khan’s gain as the vice-captain was confirmed as captain of Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, after the ICC slapped a four-match ODI ban on Inzamam. Abbas Zaidi, director operations PCB, confirmed to AFP what Inzamam had said yesterday. “Younis will lead Pakistan in the ICC Trophy.”
The ICC on Thursday penalised Inzamam for bringing the game into disrepute but absolved him of ball tampering charges after a two-day hearing in London. Younis told AFP that Inzamam was a big loss for the tournament, which starts in India early next month.
“Inzamam is our key player but we will take this as a challenge and the team will try its level best to win the Champions Trophy, which is the second biggest event after the World Cup.”
Younis has been in a rich vein of form in Tests since his comeback in October 2004. He is averaging nearly 65 from 19 Tests with seven hundreds, establishing himself at one-down as well as a popular and effective vice-captain. And though his ODI position has been more tenuous, he had a good series against England recently, scoring only his second ODI century in the third match of the series.
As captain, Younis’s innovative and energetic style has already found fans, including Imran Khan and Nasser Hussain. In Pakistan, among fans and journalists, there has been prolonged debate since the start of the year about when and if Younis should take over as full-time captain, so impressive has he been on occasion.
He has led Pakistan in two Tests and ODIs previously, winning and losing one each in both forms of the game. As official vice-captain, he is - if all goes to plan - expected to take over once Inzamam retires, in light of which, the opportunity to lead Pakistan in four games will be useful one. “It’s a great challenge and honour to lead the country, and this current team is a well-knit side,” he said. “If we play to our potential, we can do well.”
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
Any news or idea who the vice captain will be?
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
They might now try Malik at 1-down. My team will be:
1- Hafeez
2- Afridi
3- Malik
4- Younis (Captain)
5- Yousf (Vice-captain)
6- Shahid Yousuf (perhaps)
7- Razzaq
8- Akmal
9- Rana Naveed/Umar Gul
10- Shoaib Akhter
11- Asif
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
Malik might be better for VC rather than Yousuf…
although both are senior.
GA Ilike ur batting order…
Keeping Malik one down rather than Younis or Yousuf is better. Also it gives Malik a chance to get back into form because he can see atleast half the innings if he wants to bat out the kinks by holding his wicket to the last 10 overs and then let loose…:k:
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
Younis is good captain but he doesn't have a good record when he is.
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
I think they shud include Hasan Raza in place of Inzi.
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
Faisal Iqbal
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
Don't think Hasan Raza will be selected - most likely it will be Faisal Iqbal.
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
Malik should be the VC and the 11:
Hafeez
Farhat
Malik
Younis
Yousef
Razzaq
Afridi
Akmal
Iftikhar Anjum
Asif
Shoaib
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
Agree Malik should be used as VC, but in batting order they should stick to Younis at one down. Should bring in Farhat to allow left and right combination. In ODIs batting orders could be shuffle but may try:
1. Hafeez
2. Farhat
3. Younis
4. Malik
5. Yousaf
6. Razzaq/Afridi (if have to bat before 30 overs then Razzaq, if it is after 35-40 then Afridi)
7. Afridi/Razzaq
8. Akmal
9. Naveed
10. Shoaib
11. Asif
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
^^ Malik still have the thing attached of thorwing a domestic game on purpose. In anycase I would go for either Razzaq or Shoaib Akhtar as vice-captain. Razaaq has the seniority but Shoaib has shown a lot of character since his come back as the senior fast bowler and maybe giving him responsibility wont be such a bad idea. Pakistan will miss Inzi (the batsman) but personally I think as a captain Younis is a much better captain.
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
Before 30 Razzaq, after 35 Afridi. What if a wicket goes down in the 32nd or 33rd over :D
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
Did that Iftikhar Anjum pay you half of his match fees? I’d say go with Gul instead of Anjum.
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
Now that Younis is appointed Captain for the 4 games of ICC champions trophy, its not required that he should drop down the order, just coz he is captain.
1) Akmal
2) Malik
3) Younis
4) Yousef
5) Iqbal
6) Razzaq
7) Afridi
8) Arafat -or- (Mansoor Amjad)
9) Naveed-ul-Hasan (if healthy and fit)
10) Akther
11) Asif - (if healthy and fit)
*and to complete the party.
*Shahid Yousef
Umer Gul
Iftikhar Anjum
Imran Nazir
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
haven't seen enough of Anjum so can't say..rather see Rana or Gul to be safe..
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
No he paid me 75%. from what I saw of him at Edgbaston I would take him over Rana (in his current form) any day.
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
The team will be:
M. Hafeez
I. Farhat
S. Malik
Y. Khan
M.Yousuf
A. Razzaq
S. Afridi
K. Akmal
R. Naved
S. Akhtar
M. Asif
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
Yes, this should be the team and Razzaq should be VC.
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
^Yeah, the VC can only be either Yousuf or Razzaq, no1 elses place is secure and no one else is always injury free.
Re: Younis confirmed as captain
That was a slap on the face of PCB’s long long long time favouritism. This is funny if people are backing Inzi for taking (an illegal) step against ICC’s tyrany, why can’t they backup Malik for his (illegal) throwing of a match to show Lahore some mirrror. :o
In both cases, Inzi and Malik got banned and rightly so. But it was much needed lesson that Malik taught to PCB that nobody in 60 years had balls to do. I totally back him on that, and agree on his punishment at the same time. Same as I do in case of Inzi.
I agree with ehsan bhai’s team, but I personally think Afridi is being wasted or wasting himself his oppertunity at No. 6 or 7. If he has to slog (no matter where you send him) then let him be the opener. His quick 30-40 runs in First power play would be more than what we are getting from regular opening partnership. He is struggling to chip in with his quickies later in the order when the pressure is built up on the team. Specially when Inzi will not be on the other end, Afridi in the late order will not safe anyways. You can’t prevent a collapse.
Send Farhat and Afridi for RH/LH combo and let them do what they do the best.
Afridi
Farhat
Hafeez
Younis
Yousef
Malik
Razzaq
Akmal
Iftikhar Anjum
Asif
Shoaib
Its like Hafeez taking Younis position, Younis for Yousuf and Yousuf for Inzi. Malik will provide safeguard for collapse if needed. Also, he is a good finisher and has played well with tailenders before. Hafeez has ability to change gears as per situation like Malik and Yousuf. So if Afridi/Farhat are gone in less than 7 overs then he can stabilize the innings with Younis or remaining opener. If operners hit 70+ in first 10 overs then Hafeez can show his stroke play.