Yousuf was vice-captain for two years until Younis took over in 2005

Inzamam stepped down as captain after the team failed to progress beyond the first stage of the World Cup.

Vice-captain Younis Khan ruled himself out of the post but Yousuf, who scored a record nine Test tons in 2006, said: "I have no problem leading the team.

"It has always been an honour to represent Pakistan and it would be a real pleasure to lead the team."

Yousuf, who beat a 30-year-old record set by Viv Richards by scoring 1,788 runs in 2006, has captained Pakistan on three previous occasions, beating South Africa at home and losing two on tour in Australia.

In the past, in Pakistan sides, there have always been many ex-captains or players who wanted to lead and that hurt the team. That has to be avoided Mohammad Yousuf

"We won that Test against South Africa and in Australia as captain, I made a hundred. And before that, I was vice-captain so I am confident I can do the job justice," he told the cricinfo website.

The 32-year-old, a veteran of 75 Tests and 236 one-day internationals, urged the selectors to make a quick decision about the captaincy.

"Whoever is selected, it should be done soon. Ideally, a good step would be to appoint an experienced player and allow him to groom a youngster for the role," he said.

"In the past, in Pakistan sides, there have always been many ex-captains or players who wanted to lead and that hurt the team. That has to be avoided this time."

Meanwhile, legendary all-rounder Wasim Akram has launched a stinging criticism of Inzamam's regime as captain.

"Inzy definitely had become a dictator," said Akram, who played 104 Tests and 356 one-day internationals for Pakistan between 1984-2003.

"He had obviously become very powerful. I know for a fact that Bob Woolmer and the foreign back-up staff would approach him for leave.