Mohd yousuf denies rift with yunis khan

New Delhi, Oct 9 (UNI) Rubbishing rumours of a rift with stop-gap skipper Younis Khan, vice-captain Mohammad Yousuf today said he does not crave for captaincy and playing for Pakistan was the only thing that matters to him.

''The only thing I crave for is representing Paksitan. Whether I am captain or not doesn't matter to me much,'' Yousuf said during a media interaction here.

''Team management had asked me to lead the side, I nodded. Later they made Younis captain again, I took it in the same way. I just want to and play well for the country,'' he added.

Asked to captain the side in Champions Trophy in Inzamam-ul Haq's absence, Younis Khan recently shocked Pakistan cricket when he refused to lead the squad reportedly due to differnces with some senior members including Yousuf.

In a dramatic turn of events, an incensed PCB appointed Yousuf as the captain but after chairman Shaharyar Khan resigned, the new establishment put Younis back on the saddle.

''Whatever has happened has happened. Past is behind us, we are here for the Champions Trophy and if God Almighty wishes, we'll win it too,'' Yousuf said.

He said it would not be easy for the team to make up Inzamam's absence but he would try to cope with the added pressure.

''Inzamam is number one. I've not seen a player like him. He pulled off wins in impossible circumstances so many times. Obviously no one can fill the gap,'' he said ''But you must understand that we are in the team because we bat.

Had Inzy bhai been here even then I would've been expected to make runs. We cannot compensate for Inzamam in toto but we will try hard that his absence is not felt.'' Yousuf also heaped praise over Inzamam, the captain and said the beefy Multan bat was the best leader he had played under.

''I've played under many captains. Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Moin Khan and others but Inzy bhai stands out. They all were great leaders but mind you they captained some very good squads too. But I've seen Inzy bhai developing a bunch of young players in the performers. He's simply the best for me,'' Yousuf said.

UNI DH AY VC1548