Bangalore Dec 7: Speculation of a
leadership crisis in the Pakistan camp was put to rest
with Younis Khan on Friday making it clear that he would
lead the team in the third cricket Test against India
and that there was no "confusion" on this issue.
Younis, who was said to be reluctant to
lead the team, however, admitted that he had never
enjoyed captaincy which had been chasing him time and
again.
"I always run away from captaincy
because I want to enjoy my cricket. It affects my
batting, but it comes to me every time. The more I run
away from it, the more it chases me," Younis told
reporters on the eve of the match.
"I accepted vice-captaincy for this tour
only on request and I want to do my best. Now there is
more pressure on the Pakistan captain issue. But I'm
leading the side and there is no confusion and no
differences in the team," he said.
Pakistan media manager Ehsan Malik also
dismissed media reports that Younis was reluctant to
lead the side.
"Since the time I arrived here I've been
taking your calls since 6.30 in the morning till close
to midnight. And I have responded to all your calls all
the time. Last night so many people called me and I told
everybody that this is just baseless rumour. But the
media has reported otherwise," he said.
"My humble request to all of you with
utmost humility is please believe my words," Malik
added.
Asked whether Pakistan were the
favourites as Sachin Tendulkar might not play in the
Test, Younis said Pakistan would look to level the
series.
"It's not the question of who is
favourite and who's not. We want to win this Test and we
don't want to lose out on a draw. We want to square the
series."
Younis also indicated that his team
might not go with a four-way pace attack.
"Conditions are good for fast bowlers
but if it is a dry track there is no point in bringing
in four fast bowlers.
"There's no point in putting pressure on
Shoaib Akhtar as no one person can win a Test match," he
said. (Agencies)