Younis back as Pakistan captain

Younis will lead Pakistan at a time of dressing-room uncertainty

Younis Khan has been dramatically re-instated as Pakistan's cricket captain just two days after asking not to be considered for the role.

The news comes some 15 hours after the resignation of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan.

He was replaced as chairman by Nasim Ashraf, who met with the team members in Lahore before appointing Younis.

Ashraf then told reporters that Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan's captain for two days, would now be vice-captain.

The team fly to India later on Saturday to take part in the ICC Champions Trophy without regular captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

He was banned for four one-day internationals, ruling him out of the tournament, which led to Pakistan's search for a replacement skipper.

The last two days have been hard on the people who wanted to know why I had left the captaincy Younis Khan

Younis, Pakistan's regular deputy, had been expected to take on the role. But on Thursday he said he refused to be a "dummy captain".

Ashraf said: "Younis has agreed to lead the side again after I spoke to him and explained things to him."

He also said Sussex hero Mushtaq Ahmed had been released as assistant coach, explaining there was "no need" for the role.

Younis had agreed to take the captaincy again because he had a lot of respect for Ashraf.

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He said: "The last two days have been hard on the people who wanted to know why I had left the captaincy.

"I just hope we can now put everything behind us and try to do well in the tournament."

It is thought Younis had been unhappy at the call-up of Faisal Iqbal, a nephew of former captain Javed Miandad's, to replace Inzamam in the squad.

The PCB threatened disciplinary action following Younis' announcement on Thursday, but that now appears to be a distant prospect.