PCB yet to decide on Younis' replacement

Karachi, Nov.17 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to decide whether to send middle order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq as Younis Khan's replacement for the New Zealand Test series or not.

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PCB's selection committee chairman Iqbal Qasim said the final decision regarding Khan's replacement would be taken after discussing the issue with board chairman Ijaz Butt.

"Once the chairman returns home we will discuss the matter with him before deciding on naming a replacement for Younus," The Dawn quoted Qasim, as saying. Reports in the media suggested that Misbah has already been roped in as Khan's replacement for the three match Test series starting November 24.

Earlier, captain Mohammad Yousuf had also backed Misbah for the series, saying the team needs his experience to fill in the gap created in the middle order following Younus Khan's absence.

"Our team is fine, but I have asked the board for Misbah-ul-Haq to fill the gap that has appeared in the middle order as Younus would not be playing in the series," Yousuf said.

Yousuf said Misbah has been performing well in the domestic season and has done well at the international level in the past, so must be there on the Kiwi tour. "He (Misbah) is a good batsman and I think he would prove helpful for the team.

He has been playing well in domestic cricket and I hope he would also perform well in the series against New Zealand," he said. Haq is currently playing in Bangladesh's domestic league, after being axed from both the Test and one-day squad for the series against the Black Caps.