PCB reject Younus resignation

Younus Khan's resignation as national team captain has been rejected, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed.

The 31-year-old quit last week despite being cleared over allegations of match-fixing at a hearing of the National Assembly standing committee.

However, PCB chairman Ejaz Butt said he had rejected Younus' letter of resignation and expects the batsman to continue leading the side at least until the Cricket World Cup in 2011.

'I have not accepted Younus Khan's resignation,' said Butt.

'I realise and understand his reaction and had I been in his place I would have done the same.'

'But there is no justification in removing him as captain.'

Younus earned hero status back home in Pakistan after leading his unfancied side to glory in the World Twenty20 in England over the summer, just six months after taking over from Shoaib Malik as captain.

However, below-par performances at the Champions Trophy in South Africa drew widespread criticism and prompted Pakistan National Assembly chairman Jamshed Dasti to claim he had evidence the team deliberately underperformed.

Dasti has since claimed he was misquoted by the media and withdrew his allegations.