Stani Army

The 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.

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International cricket captains come in many varieties. Many are born leaders, others are quiet and calculating. They may be aggressive or defensive. Some exude calm, while others are frenetic. A lucky few are first among equals, but the unlucky ones are the last viable option.

These men of contrasting personalities, intellects, and motivational powers, do generally have one aspect in common: their place in the team is unquestioned. A rare captain has the wisdom to be an inspiring leader without matching the cricketing skills of his men. Mike Brearley is the most obvious example.

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Sri lanka’s thrashing of Pakistan in the 3rd and final ODI, giving them the series, has left many asking a number of questions. With a 234 run margin, it was the heaviest ODI defeat Pakistan have suffered. Since the sacking of Geoff Lawson and the ushering in of the old guard, the likes of Ijaz Butt, Javed Miandad and Aqib Javed, many Pakistan fans have been left feeling depressingly dejected as to the direction of Pakistan cricket.

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