Intrigue and infighting -- Pakistan cricket's deadly cancers -- have struck again with former captain Younus Khan axed from the team's forthcoming tour of Australia.
Intrigue and infighting --u00a0Pakistan cricket's deadly cancers -- have struck again with former captain Younus Khan axed from the team's forthcoming tour of Australia.
Younus has been mysteriously missing since relinquishing the captaincy and his place in the side after Pakistan's one-day series defeat to New Zealand in Abu Dhabi last month.
He had recently expressed disgust that a 'rebel' group of players in his team were plotting to oust him.
For quite some time now, sensational reports about some Pakistani players deliberately underperforming to undermine Younus have been doing the rounds in cricket circles.
Batting maestro Mohammed Yousuf, who changed his name from Yousuf Youhana after conversion from Christianity, was yesterday named captain after leading his side to a 1-1 drawn series against the Black Caps in New Zealand during the past fortnight.
Yousuf, the rebel who quit his national side to play in the Indian Cricket League, will be in charge of a young side with exciting potential. Sixteen of the 18 players in New Zealand will fly directly to Australia after the third and final Test starting in Napier tomorrow.
Pakistan have never won a Test series in Australia.
Eccentric fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who recently underwent surgery to remove fat from his stomach, has been left out of the squad, but former captain Shoaib Malik has been retained despite a disappointing series in New Zealand.
Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis, who now lives in Sydney, has been appointed bowling and fielding coach for the Test and one-day series.
