Mohammad Yousuf will lead Pakistan at the Champions Trophy in India after Younis Khan dramatically rejected the skipper's role, saying he does not want to be a "dummy captain".
The shocking development, which came just two days ahead of the start of the elite tournament, could also see disciplinary action being taken against Younis, although the Pakistan Cricket Board stated that he would continue to be a part of the India-bound squad.
Younis, named stand-in skipper for Champions Trophy in place of Inzamam-ul Haq, who is serving a four One-Day International ban, was scheduled to talk about the team's preparations for the elite tournament at a press conference in Lahore, but told reporters that he was quitting the job.
"I don't want to be a dummy captain; I will explain the reasons for my decision later," was all that he said before leaving the venue in a huff.
Stunned reporters tried to chase him to get more details but in vain.
Coach Bob Woolmer, who was supposed to address the media along with Younis, looked flabbergasted.
Yousuf, who had been named vice-captain, was promoted at an emergency meeting of the PCB's ad-hoc committee later in the day.
A statement from the PCB claimed they too were caught by surprise by Younis's decision.
"The Pakistan Cricket Board deeply regrets that Younis Khan chose to announce his withdrawal from the captaincy of the Pakistan team for the Champions Trophy. He did so without prior consultation with the board," it said.
The statement described Younis's actions as a "breach of discipline" and said the long-time vice-captain could now face further action but would retain his place in the side.
"Younis Khan has since expressed his regret to the chairman (Shaharyar Khan) for the unsavoury incident," the statement added.
"(He) has reconfirmed to the chairman that he does not wish to be considered for the captaincy of the team for the Champions Trophy and has conveyed to the chairman that he is prepared to continue playing as a team member.
"PCB has taken note of the incident, and the matter will be dealt with in accordance with the rules and regulations of the board. Younis Khan will step down from the captaincy of his own accord but will continue to play in the team," it said.
Abdul Razzaq was named as vice-captain to Yousuf.
Younis, who has been vice-captain since the tour of Australia in early 2005, was seen as the natural choice to take over captaincy after Inzamam's retirement.
Ironically, Yousuf, who along with Younis is Pakistan's most dependable batsman in recent times, is said to be one of the players who did not support Younis leading the side in the absence of Inzamam.
Well-informed sources close to Younis confirmed that Razzaq and Shahid Afridi were among a small group of players who did not want Younis as the future captain.
"Younis knows about this and he took his decision because he does not want to lead a disoriented and disunited outfit in such an important tournament," a source disclosed.
He said Younis is basically a loner in the team and this group was not ready to support him as captain.
Last year, Younis had got into a much-publicised fight with Afridi during the Bridgetown Test in the West Indies in the dressing room.
Younis, who was leading the side in that game, as Inzamam was banned for the match, insisted that Afridi open the innings and that led to the clash.
Earlier, in a day of high drama, PCB director Cricket Operations Saleem Altaf and team manager for the Champions Trophy Talat Ali tried to reason out with Younis for over an hour but he did not relent.
Altaf said he had tried his best to make Younis see common sense.
"But he is just not willing to listen to anyone. He said he had made up his mind. But we feel this was not the proper way to go about this issue and he should have taken us into confidence first," Altaf said.
Pakistan, who are slated to depart for Jaipur on Saturday, will open their Champions Trophy campaign against a qualifier on October 17 in Mohali.
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