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Malik Steps Down, Younis Khan Steps Up
By Tabrez Janjua for Stani Army in Pakistan Cricket
34 ViewsThe PCB has offered the Pakistan captaincy to Younis Khan after Shoaib Malik agreed to step down upon request. Younis has accepted and will now lead the team in Tests and ODIs.
Younis had been offered the role on two previous occasions but had turned it down. Questions were being asked of Malik after the disastrous series capitulation against Sri Lanka where he also criticised Shoaib Akhtar publicly and continued his unwithering support of the struggling Kamran Akmal. It was understood that a number of players, mostly senior, were not happy with Malik’s captaincy under which the dressing room became increasingly divided. Mohammad Yusuf has previously publicly criticised Malik and his respect of senior players.
It is easy to be critical of Malik’s tenure yet we must remember that he was the only choice at the time he was made captain because of the refusal of the very man that now replaces him. Had Younis not been so overly sensitive and fussy on the previous occasion the job was offered to him, then Pakistan cricket, or the team at least, would be in a much more stable place right now. Also, in a culture where seniority is akin to superiority, the young Malik was always going to have a battle on his hands.
It was said that Younis had previously declined the captaincy because of the lack of power he would have had at his disposal, yet on the last occasion he declined, he was quoted as saying “They offered me the captaincy with full powers,” He said. “The PCB said they would also be appointing a strong selection committee to back me up. But I refused after thanking them for their offer.”
This time around also, a friend of Younis Khan’s was quoted as saying that Younis wants to lead on his own terms. This may point to future problems surfacing when the captain and selectors differ on selection and other issues so it will be right to assume that the ride for Younis may not be as smooth as he would probably like. One can only hope that he matures in the role and becomes more diplomatic and less head-long and hasty in his decision making. He must realise his responsibility and accept that criticism will always be there and as the captain, he must bear the brunt of it.
For what now lies ahead, it will be interesting to see if Malik retains his place in the team. As for Younis, what will his views be on the selection of certain players like Akmal and Akhtar and those banned because of the ICL. Let’s hope he can get the aggressiveness and bravery of a Pathan to resonate throughout the whole team and bring some much needed consistency into the performances.
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January 27th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
I agree that Malik was always going to have it difficult because he is young and the culture is different there. Whilst Geoff Lawson was around, Malik would have been alright because Lawson would have supported him and because he’s from another culture, would not have allowed the age thing to matter.
I do feel a bit sorry for Malik.
January 28th, 2009 at 3:37 am
I don’t feel sorry for Malik at all. He had a chance but didn’t take it. I did not really like his attitude either. Seemed too laid back and almost a bit pompous which can’t have gone down too well with the senior members of the team.
As for Younis, I think he’s a bit too hot headed. I don’t see stability at all under him and we will see more bickering and quarreling between him and the selectors/board as the writer mentioned.
He’s got to sort himself out; stop laughing so often and tapping players on the backside – serious, watch him, its funny how he keeps doing it.
January 28th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Lol Waseem! I have noticed that too…the tap on the bum.
On a serious note, I think we’ll be chopping and changing captains for some time to come. The days of great pakistan captains are gone.
January 30th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Great website!
January 31st, 2009 at 6:56 pm
im glad S.Malik is no more captain of the pakistan team however i would be disappointed if he was left out of the team altogether.
i feel he is good enough of a batsmen to get in team and we need expeience and stability in the middle order especially after inzi and yousaf have gone. with shoaib malik you know what your going to get, he’ll score plenty of runs(more than afridi will ever do) and he’ll chip in with a few wickets. couldnt ask for more.
his captaincy was awful, he was too laid back and when things were going wrong he simply had no answers, this is where younis khan will do a better job, he will be more proactive and lead the team better. we lost against every major nation we played under malik. for a team of pakistan’s calible that is not acceptable. winning against smaller teams like bangladesh and zimbabwe does not make up for it.
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:23 am
I think if the ICL becomes recognised, then Malik will lose his place in the team because Yusuf will be back. If not, I think he’s the best we have available as he generally gets a decent 20-60 in difficult circumstances.
February 2nd, 2009 at 2:57 am
We shouldn’t forget Malik’s fielding too. He’s one of our best.
February 4th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
uzair got one question WHOS THERE