PTI
Karachi, Oct 6: Mohammad Yousuf will lead Pakistan at the Champions Trophy in India after Younis Khan dramatically rejected the skipper's role, saying he did not want to be a "dummy captain."
The shocking development, which came just two days ahead of the start of the elite tournament, could also see some disciplinary action being taken against Younis although the Pakistan Cricket Board stated that he would continue to be a part of the India-bound squad.
Younis, named as the stand-in skipper for Champions Trophy in place of Inzamam-ul Haq, who is serving a four-match ODI ban, was scheduled to talk about the team's preparations for the elite tournament at a press conference in Lahore but, instead, told reporters that he was quitting the job.
"I don't want to be a dummy captain, I will explain the reasons for my decision later," was all that he said before leaving the venue in a huff. Stunned reporters tried to chase him to get more details but in vain.
Yousuf, named as vice-captain, was promoted at an emergency meeting of the PCB's Ad-hoc Committee later in the day.
A statement from the PCB claimed they too had been caught by surprise by Younis' decision. "The Pakistan Cricket Board deeply regrets that Younis Khan chose to announce his withdrawal from the captaincy of the Pakistan team for the Champions Trophy. He did so without prior consultation with the board," it said.