Cricket: Younis to captain Pakistan against NZ

In the pecking order of world cricket's most difficult jobs, captaining Pakistan would be at, or near, the top.

National captain Younis Khan, who resigned from the job last week after his country's elimination from the recent Champions Trophy in South Africa, yesterday agreed to return in time to lead his country against New Zealand in a series of limited-overs internationals in the United Arab Emirates next month.

A furious Younis, who guided Pakistan to the world Twenty20 title in England earlier this year, took exception to criticism from members of Pakistan's National Assembly, which included claims of match fixing in losses to Australia and New Zealand.

His resignation was initially rejected by Pakistan's board chairman Ijaz Butt and yesterday Younis confirmed he would return.

Younis, an outstanding batsman who is Pakistan's fifth-highest test run scorer and averages 50.09 in tests, set conditions for his return, understood to include changes in the management team, an improved selection process and removing factions within the team who had been trying to undermine his leadership.

A delighted Butt announced 31-year-old Younis would be in charge through to the 2011 World Cup, although it would be unwise to take bets on that happening.

"I am very happy right now," Younis said yesterday.

"The support that I have received from the board and the country through this time has been fantastic."

But there was a setback for Pakistan ahead of the New Zealand series, including five ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals from November 3.

Fast-medium Mohammed Asif has been refused permission to enter the UAE. The 26-year-old was deported from Dubai last year after spending 19 days in detention at Dubai airport, having been found in possession of opium.

No criminal charges were laid but he has been banned from the region.

Asif, who has taken 51 wickets in 11 tests, recently completed an unrelated one-year ban for a doping offence. He will be rearrested if he returns to the UAE, which poses a longer-term problem for Pakistan.

After the terrorism attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March, it is unlikely any international cricket will be played in Pakistan for the foreseeable future, and they are keen to use Dubai and Abu Dhabi as a de facto home for ODI series.

That means they will be without one of their best bowlers for a part of their immediate commitments