The Hindu : Sport : Younis Khan, the committed leader

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 19, 2006
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Younis Khan, the committed leader

Vijay Lokapally

CHEMISTRY WORKS: Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer (left) played a key role in making captain Younis Khan realise his responsibilities. — PHOTO: AFP

JAIPUR: He gives the impression of a man in a hurry; in a hurry to score runs, in a hurry to wind up the match and in a greater hurry to join his teammates once he is through with the mandatory media session. What matters to him is his team, and nothing else.

His demeanour at the crease confirms his approach. He must make his point early and must dominate. If he perishes, so be it. He does not make compromises with life or with his cricket.

Having accepted the responsibility of leading the side, he relinquished the job in a moment of madness that once again highlighted the weak spot of Pakistan cricket, the damaging trend of infighting that has often divided the team into two camps.

Coach Bob Woolmer played a key role here. "I spoke to Younis about it. Whatever he was doing, he was doing it very passionately. He was very honest about it," said Woolmer.

Younis obviously had a great challenge ahead of him. He had to make a strong statement concerning discipline in the ranks and also ensure support from all quarters. "I want the youngsters to get a healthy atmosphere. I don't want them to be timid as we were. I want them to enjoy the game."

Mistrust

Lack of education is said to be one of the key factors hampering the smooth working of the Pakistan team. The players and administrators have rarely backed each other and this growing mistrust was the first area that Younis aimed at tackling. Like a leader, he spoke to each individual, making him understand his value to the side and in the process giving the right signals that he had faith in each one of them.

It was a difficult night at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium. Younis was confronted with problems in every area and led from the front. Failure with the bat meant he had to concentrate more and he got the team to rally around each other. "Play for your pride," he kept reminding the players on the

field and the transformation was dramatic as Pakistan pulled off a remarkable victory.

Thorny issue

Captaincy has always been an issue in Pakistan cricket; contentious selections have also dented the team spirit at various times, but Younis drove home the point that he was doing a job that was his domain only temporarily. But as long as he was at the helm, he would not tolerate any distraction, any complacency, or slackness in performance from those expected to show the way.

He may not be as articulate as some of the past Pakistan captains like Imran Khan or Rameez Raja, but Younis is adept at getting the team understand his language of victory. "His commitment is total," is how his coach described Younis's character.

Younis won the hearts of his critics when he confessed that he was only a stop-gap captain and was waiting for Inzamam-ul-Haq to return. "He has been my mentor. I have grown up wanting to be like him, quietly copying his mannerisms. Inzi will be the captain always as far as I am concerned."

Younis has the backing of the team and that, to many, is a healthy development for Pakistan cricket.

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