Newly-appointed Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf called for unity from his side on Saturday ahead of their tough three-Test tour of New Zealand, saying it would be a double test for his players - on and off the field. "My main target is to unite the team because our religion also teaches us to unite for a cause and the New Zealand tour will be a tough task for us," Yousuf told AFP.
The 35-year-old, who converted to Islam from Christianity four years back, replaced Younus Khan who opted to rest following Pakistan's 2-1 defeat in the one-day series against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi earlier this week. Pakistan won the two-match Twenty20 series 2-0 on Friday. The team flies to New Zealand from here on Sunday where the first Test opens in Dunedin on November 25.
Younus blamed lack of unity and control from the players as the reasons behind his decision to take "time out" - but Yousuf believes the team members are professional enough to regroup for a tough tour. "I am sure all the players realise their duties," said Yousuf, who has previously captained Pakistan in four Tests and three one-day internationals.
"For me all the players are equal and I will treat them on an equal basis. "We will definitely miss Younus as batsman but I have asked the selection committee to bring in Misbah-ul-Haq as replacement who has the experience to handle the conditions in New Zealand." Yousuf said seaming conditions in New Zealand will test his batsmen.
"Conditions in New Zealand will be difficult and with the ball seaming a lot it will be a real test for our batsmen but I am sure that the players will stand up and play to their potential," said Yousuf. Yousuf praised Pakistan's bowling attack, saying it has the capacity to bowl New Zealand out twice in a Test. "With Mohammad Asif back in the Test team we have a bowler who uses the new ball effectively and can be dangerous in New Zealand," said Yousuf of Asif who missed the UAE series as a result of being deported last year.
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