Mohammad Yousuf is not losing any sleep over his impending replacement as captain of the Pakistan team, but their performance against Australia in Sydney yesterday will certainly give him a few nightmares. Chasing 268 for victory, Pakistan imploded to finish 140 runs short. Their fate could have been worse if not for a battling 58 from Yousuf and 27 from the No 9 Naved-ul-Hasan. The defeat will certainly add to the pressure on Yousuf, who has been facing growing criticism since being whitewashed 3-0 in the Test series. Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has already stated they will be looking for a new captain after the team returns from Australia.
Yousuf though was ready to accept his destiny and said: "I don't mind it. The board appointed me captain and they can change me, but I think I have done a satisfactory job. "There is no pressure on me and neither has it affected my batting form." Australia's score of 267 for six was built around half-centuries from Shane Watson (69) and Cameron White (55) and the win gives them a 2-0 lead. The hosts can wrap up the five-match series with another win in Adelaide tomorrow on Australia Day, and captain Ricky Ponting expects his side to push on and continue to play to a high level.
"I have a feeling with this group and the way we have been playing our cricket that we won't let them back into the competition at all," said Ponting. arizvi@thenational.ae
