Younis Khan to be Pak's vice-captain

Despite his absence from playing XI due to poor form, Younis Khan may play the role of a non-playing vice captain for the India tour.

Strange as it may seem, Younis Khan may play the role of a non-playing vice captain during the forthcoming Indo-Pak cricket series.

The News reported Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan as saying that even though Younis may not make it to the playing eleven by virtue of his poor form, he will provide valuable advice to the team as a senior player and vice captain.

"We don't buy this argument. We would very much prefer for the captain and vice captain to be in the playing eleven. But even if he doesn't play in a match because of poor form he is still there in the team to contribute as a senior player and vice captain," the paper quoted Shaharyar as saying in response to allegations that Younis' appointment as vice captain was not unanimous.

"If at some stage the tour selection committee feels Younis doesn't command a place in the playing eleven they can drop him but that doesn't change his status as vice captain. But yes as a matter of principle we would very much like to see him play regularly as we want to groom him for the future," Shaharyar added.

Shaharyar further said that the main motive behind appointing Younis Khan as the vice captain in place of Yousaf Youhana was to reduce the pressure on Youhana and allow him to concentrate on his batting.

"The ad-hoc committee has not appointed Younis as vice captain for a fixed term. The main idea behind this move is to reduce the pressure on Youhana and allow him to concentrate on his batting as he is one of our main batsmen," Shaharyar further added.

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