Batsman Yousuf will lead Pakistan in New Zealand

The Pakistan Cricket Board has named Mohammad Yousuf as captain for their tour to New Zealand after regular skipper Younus Khan asked to be rested.

Kamran Akmal has been appointed as vice-captain for the three-Test tour which begins on 24 November.

Younus had requested a break from cricket following the one-day series against New Zealand earlier this month.

Pakistan lost the series 2-1 with media reports afterwards suggesting Younus had lost the confidence of his players.

Younus had offered his resignation as captain in October despite being cleared of match-fixing allegations, but the PCB opted to retain his services.

606: DEBATE I do not think Yousuf is a strong enough character to be captain AM

Younus only replaced Shoaib Malik as the skipper of the national team in January.

However Yousuf's appointment as captain cements his return to the international fold after a period in exile.

The batsman was banned from playing for Pakistan in November 2008 after joining the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League.

But he was recalled for their tour of Sri Lanka in July, a month after cutting his ties with the league.

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