Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Younus khan Offer to Quit due to Match Fixing Row

Younus Khan
Younus Khan has tendered his resignation as Pakistan captain in the face of being cleared of match-fixing charges by a parliamentary sports committee.

He submitted his resignation to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) - who is yet to accept it.

The 31-year-old said he was "disgusted by match-fixing allegations made against me and the team."

Younus was presence for a hearing to discuss Pakistan's performance in the recent ICC Champions Trophy.

National Assembly committee chairman Jamshed Dasti had suspected that Pakistan purposely under-performed during the competition - although he later insisted that the board never intended to make match-fixing allegations against the players.

"We are totally satisfied with the explanation of the team management and board," he said. "The committee is satisfied no match-fixing took place."

Younus told the Reuters news agency: "Yes, I have submitted my resignation. I have told the chairman to go through my resignation and read my point of view."

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt added: "It's an emotional decision and I reject it.

"I hope to convince Younus to revoke his decision, but if he sticks to his stand then the matter will be decided by the PCB's governing council next week on 19 October."

Younus has scored 5,260 runs in 63 Tests - at an average over 50 - since making his debut against Sri Lanka in 2000, and succeeded Shoaib Malik as Pakistan captain in January 2009.

He has also appeared in 194 one-day internationals and led Pakistan to victory at the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in England earlier this year - before retiring from Twenty20 internationals.

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