Misbah yet to decide on captaincy

Pakistan’s Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq is undecided yet on captaincy. Veteran batsman Younis Khan has expressed his interest in the job.

Misbah-ul-Haq (front) and Younis Khan are the two oldest members of the Pakistan team.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) awaits a response from Misbah-ul-Haq to inform it about his future plans with regards to captaincy while another senior player Younis Khan has thrown his hat in the ring. “The last time I met him (Misbah) in Dubai earlier this month he sought time to think over his future plans. Now whenever he gets in touch with us and if he wants to continue playing I will put the matter before my associates in the board,” PCB Chairman, Shaharyar Khan told PTI .

Misbah himself sounded uncertain on continuing as a player if he quits captaincy. “I have decided that I will tour West Indies for the Test series but whether it will be as captain or player is up to the selectors and board. I think I can continue on the West Indies tour; after that nothing is final as yet in my mind,” Misbah had recently said in Dubai.

Younis, who is 39 years old, the oldest in the Pakistan team after Misbah, also harbours captaincy ambitions. “I will definitely consider the offer if it comes along,” he stated. Younis is just 23 runs away from becoming the first Pakistan batsman to reach 10,000 runs and he is likely to achieve this landmark when he tours West Indies in March-April.

“I don’t want to retire because I am enjoying my cricket and I still have lot of hunger for making runs. Even after making 10,000 runs, I want to carry on and do well for the team. I don’t think retirement comes into play until a player is fit and in form,” he said at a charity function.