"I want to see Pakistan at no 1 spot" - Younis Khan

Pakistan captain Younis Khan said after offering my resignation 'I realised that the whole nation is with me' and if such support keeps up, Pakistan definitely will win several Cups and mega events. Khan however had resigned from the captaincy following after the ICC Champions Trophy but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) rejected his resignation and reappointed him the captain until World Cup 2011.



“I didn't resign in a bid to acquire more power. Instead I got the nation back up which is more important and if nation-support remained with me, Pakistan will lift several title in future,” Younis said in a press conference organized by Islamic Welfare Funds at Karachi Gymkhana Club. "I want to see Pakistan at number 1 spot," added Younis.

"It has put more responsibility on me," he said. "And if I used to play a hundred percent (input), now I have to play 200 percent,” emphasised Younis - who resigned over match-fixing allegations after Pakistan lost against Australia and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy. “I have played eight, nine years now... but yes, this time around the support from the public, media and former players has put more responsibility on me and I am ready to take it."

Younis, 31, hopes his side can echo the strong New Zealand team bond, when they face them next week in Unite Arab Emirates (UAE). "New Zealand is like Sri Lanka and Australia as they also play as a unit, so when we play such a team we have to play as a unit to beat them. I hope that it will be a good series," said Younis.

Younis – who suffered with a minor hairline fracture in his right hand finger however after detailed examination of injury Younis has been advised rest by the doctors and is under treatment. But Younis did not take rest and played each and every game of the Champions Trophy in South Africa – in which Pakistan lost the semi-final to New Zealand.

Younis confirmed that his 'finger injury is not that serious', he just 'needed a rest and now his is completely fit.'

Younus also praised the selectors for giving the best combination for the series against New Zealand and expressed the hope that their opening problem will be sorted out in presence of three specialists (openers) with the recalling of Salman Butt, Imran Farhat and Khurram Manzoor.