Younis named Pak captain for three series

Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis will captain the national side for the next three series, all of them one-day tournaments, the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Saturday.

The PCB normally names the captain one series at a time, but changed its policy because Pakistan will play three one-day series in close succession.

"I am sure Waqar will do a capable job for the next three tournaments," said PCB Chairman Tauqir Zia.

"So far he has been very impressive in motivating and gelling the other players together since being named captain last year."

The appointment would take Pakistan through to the end of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka which ends in late September.

Pakistan play back-to-back one-day tournaments in Morocco, Kenya and Sri Lanka over the next five weeks.

Zia said the PCB would not appoint Younis as captain until next year's World Cup in South Africa because it wanted the option of regularly reviewing his performance.

"But realistically speaking if the team continues playing well, I don't see any reason why he should not continue till the World Cup," Zia said.

Pakistan cricket is notorious for frequent changes at the top both of the playing and coaching teams.

But Younis has been in charge since being named captain in April last year after some consistent team performances including a recent one-day series win over world champions Australia. The 30-year-old fast bowler has made 33 consecutive one-day appearances for Pakistan.

Mail Cricket Editor