Inzamam or Younis?

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Should you shoot the sheriff and promote the deputy? That's the question Pakistan cricket is facing © Getty Images

Activism, dissent, protest, resistance, stirrings of the status quo; they've all been in Pakistan's air recently, from the mass urban youth mobilization after the earthquake of October through to the Danish cartoon riots and finally, the visiting World Social Forum in Karachi this week. So too it is with the captaincy of the cricket team.

The day after Pakistan lost to India in his hometown Multan, one paper alleged that Inzamam-ul-Haq's ODI leadership was the subject of serious debate by the PCB's ad-hoc committee. Khalid Hussain, a senior sports journalist, asked last week in an article whether Inzamam's time as captain had come. His answer wasn't forthcoming, but ex-players on TV haven't been as coy.

They shot the sheriff and they promoted the deputy - Younis Khan. Imran Khan, it feels, has championed Younis from the day he retired himself. Some have said Younis should replace Inzamam as ODI captain, a few have said he should be Test captain too and some still have said Inzamam should be dropped from the ODI team altogether. The PCB might have retained him till the end of the year (hardly a guarantee) but debate, basically, has begun and this is a contribution to it.

Aside from having, in common with Sourav Ganguly, the ability to rile la famille Chappell (at least judging from Ian's recent, sustained TV savaging of Inzamam while commentating), what's the beef with Inzamam? His back is a serious one and unlikely, in his 36th year, to get better. It has prompted him to consider picking his matches, a scenario ideal for no one.

It is argued he's not proactive, no great strategist, sets a poor example in the field and has worse body language. Even if he is (and it's hardly as simple as that) he's been the same all along. And although in Tests, his form brooks no argument, his batting in ODIs hasn't been special; while not as out of sync as at the 2003 World Cup, he has faded since the series in India last year, only two fifties in 14 matches.

But anyway his strength has been elsewhere; in somehow bringing calm into the dressing room, in gelling with Bob Woolmer, in forging a formidable spirit, in the galvanizing effect of his batting. If you're the type to look to numbers, then seven wins, seven draws and six losses is an even spread as captain. And as yesterday's Numbers Game pointed out, he stands behind only The Don and the new Don (Ricky Ponting) as the most successful Test batsmen as captain ever (averaging over 61). The series loss to India only came at the end of a rare and wildly successful home season and Sri Lanka were beaten straight after.

Younis Khan: 'he's fresh, he is the future, ostensibly popular, at a good moment in his career and on little evidence, an apt candidate' © Getty Images

What about Younis? Everything seems opportune about him right now. He is just at that age (28), with enough international experience (six years, 43 Tests, 100-plus ODIs and over a year as vice-captain) and in good enough batting form to be an ideal successor. Additionally, the times he has led - sessions or matches - he has imparted energy and hustle on the field, in stark contrast to Inzamam. He captained Pakistan to the Karachi win against India and did well by most accounts.

But he also presided over a catastrophic loss to the West Indies last year, during which he had a serious bust-up with Shahid Afridi. And if you take away India, people will always ask questions about his batting (his average falls from 47 to 37 without). So make him an ODI captain?

ODIs offer no clarity either, they really don't. For one, does he even warrant an automatic place in the ODI side? The career average isn't too clever and coincidentally, his recent record is identical to Inzamam's. And just where should he bat? Given he averages 22 at one down, those who push for it say it from theory (the best batsman should be there) and little else.

And there is also the matter of timing. If any such change is to happen, it is only a year before the World Cup and so, ideally, should happen soon. On paper Inzamam is safe till the year's end, but if Pakistan lose in England and a few ODIs here and there, what odds on sacking a captain and a cantankerous build-up to the World Cup? In Pakistan, not long ones. Add to it the alleged threat Inzamam made to the ad-hoc committee that he would not play unless it was as captain. Can Pakistan afford to lose Inzamam altogether?

Actually, forget all this because, ultimately, my personal feeling is it boils down to a question that has flummoxed the best of us for centuries. Does the heart decide or the head? The former says Inzamam; he's done much as captain, maybe he could have done more but in two years, he's done plenty. The World Cup offers a natural end to his cycle, possibly a memorable one. Loyalty doesn't always need justification. The latter says Younis; he's fresh, he is the future, ostensibly popular, at a good moment in his career and on little evidence, an apt candidate. Change is generally with good reason and often necessary. Heart or head: answers on email please.

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