Malik may lead team if Younis does not relent

“Former captain Imran Khan and some members of the board feel that the chairman should make one last attempt to convince Younis to change his mind. If that does not happen, Malik is the unanimous choice,” he said.

He said it was the wrong impression that Malik would be appointed on a long-term basis. “What has been decided is that Malik should be named captain for the one-day international against India at Lord’s slated in July for the Prince Charles charity and for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa in September,” the source said.

He will also be retained to lead the team in the home series against South Africa and then on the tour of India in November after which his performance would be reviewed, the source added. He said it was unlikely that Pakistan would be playing any series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi next month as the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council has not been able to raise the money to host the series and pay the appearance fees to the two teams.

“So the one-dayer against India is likely to be Pakistan’s first international assignment after the World Cup.”

He said that the board had decided on Malik with an eye on the future but it was going to appoint him for a short term because all-rounder was yet to command a regular place in the test team at the number six position.

“Only the names of Malik and Salman Butt were discussed as possible captaincy options. Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi or Abdul Razzaq were never in consideration,” the source confirmed.