New Pak Captain

Pakistan has changed their captain and set a new captain.

May be they needed it.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday replaced Shoaib Malik with Younis Khan as captain of the national cricket team after a humiliating defeat against Sri Lanka, its chairman said.

Malik led Pakistan to their worst one-day defeat -- by 234 runs -- in the third and final one-day international in Lahore on Saturday to give Sri Lanka a 2-1 series win.

"Malik has accepted to step down after the Sri Lanka defeat and we have appointed Younis as the new captain for an indefinite period," PCB chairman Ijaz Butt told reporters.

"We haven't sacked Malik. In fact, I met Malik and told him about the situation, as the whole nation felt disappointed over the team's poor performance and a lot of people wanted a change," said Butt.

"That is why I requested Malik to step down and he gracefully accepted."

Malik was appointed captain after Pakistan's first round exit from the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. His tenure as captain was extended for an indefinite period earlier this month.

However, the 2-1 series defeat against Sri Lanka sparked furious reaction in cricket-mad Pakistan.

The sports committee of the Senate also summoned Malik, coach Intikhab Alam and chief selector Abdul Qadir on February 9 to explain the defeat.

Butt said coach Alam and team manager Yawar Saeed were also asked to submit a detailed report on the team's loss.

Asked about Younis refusing the captaincy on two previous occasions, Butt said the player must have had his reasons.

"He (Younis) must have some reasons for not taking the captaincy," said Butt, referring to when Younis refused to lead Pakistan after the team's exit from the 2007 World Cup citing personal reasons.

Younis also refused to lead the team in the Champions Trophy held in India in October 2006, just a day after he was appointed skipper, saying he did not want to be a dummy captain.

He was reinstated captain, however, for the Trophy after Nasim Ashraf replaced Shaharyar Khan as PCB chairman.

Malik led Pakistan in 36 one-day internationals -- 12 defeats and 24 wins -- including a Pakistan record 12-match winning streak.

Malik also led Pakistan in three Tests, losing two and drawing one.

In contrast, the 31-year-old Younis has led Pakistan in six one-day matches, winning two and losing four.

Younis will resume duties in the two-Test home series against Sri Lanka next month.