Former Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq (left) offers cake to teammate Mohammad Yousuf during happier times for the troubled side. - Reuters

KARACHI (Reuters):

BATSMAN MOHAMMAD Yousuf has made himself available to take over the Pakistan captaincy after Younis Khan turned down the job following the team's first-round exit from the World Cup.

Yousuf, who had a record-breaking year in 2006 when he scored 1,788 runs in Tests, including nine centuries and at an average of 99.33, said he was ready to accept the captaincy if it was offered to him.

"So far the board has not spoken to me on this topic. But I have said before I feel no pressure in captaining the team," Yousuf told Reuters yesterday in an interview from Lahore.

"I see it as the ultimate honour for any cricketer to lead his country."

Younis said on Friday that the Pakistan Cricket Board had asked him to captain the side after Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down and retired from one-day internationals following their World Cup elimination.

But Younis felt the job was too stressful, especially in the wake of the hostile reception given to the players after the Caribbean debacle.

Yesterday, Yousuf also received backing from former fast bowler Wasim Akram.

"The only ones who can handle the job are Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik," Akram said.

"I don't think we have much of a choice, if Younis is not interested."

Yousuf said Pakistan had a bad World Cup despite having a very good team.

"These things happen. But we still have a very good team and I know if we play to our potential we can even beat (world champions) Australia," he said.

"I am a senior player and have captained the team before. The players are also cooperative and well behaved. I would have no problems in leading them.

"We have never had any unity issues in the team (and) ... I see no problems in leading such a team."

Yousuf last captained the side in two Tests against Australia in early 2005 when Inzamam was injured. Since than Younis Khan has been the team's vice-captain.

Despite Younis's refusal to lead the side, Yousuf said "he remains a key player for us".