'To keep Team Pakistan united, you need Inzamam'

One is an automatic selection and the best one and the other doesn't even have a place in the ODI's; whom would you select? Heart and Head both go for the same person. And that is the best available today. It's a team game and to keep Team Pakistan united, you need Inzamam, who does not shout but scores runs when needed. There is too much politics being brewed which is not good for Pakistan and will cost them the World Cup. Faiz Khilji

I think Osman is absolutely right in saying that Younis perhaps doesn't warrant automatic selection in the Pakistan team but the problem is now or a year down the line there hardly seems any good candidate in the Pakistan team for the job. I think because of this, Younis needs to be elevated now while Inzi is still around so he can be groomed. Moreover this will give Inzi a chance to focus on his batting exclusively and say goodbye on a very high note. Shamim Habib

Why should one limit it to either Inzamam or Younis Khan? Why not look beyond these two. Inzamam for all his successes cannot be trusted overseas (remember Australia?), while Younis Khan is no great shakes as he is not a good batsman (apart from Indian record, he has failed in 20s and 30s an umpteen number of times). Why not try, say Mohammad Yousuf or even Abdul Razzaq? I am not sure if either of these two can be accepted by the entire team. Pakistan teams of the past, except when led by Imran Khan, have known to possess big egos and jealous players. Partha

Pakistanis have always looked for scapegoats as soon as a series is lost. Inzi has brought to the table what no other Pakistan great/captain (exception being Imran Khan) were able to do in the recent past: harmony within the team and playing for a common goal. Inzi repeatedly has been the backbone of our batting lineup. When he delivers, rarely do we lose. Persisting with the Inzi-Woolmer combo through minor ups and downs would be the best decision by the Board keeping in view the forthcoming World Cup. Younis is learning and should be an automatic choice when Inzi steps down after the World Cup. He has delivered as a captain whenever called upon. Inzi's style is Inzi's style and that will remain the Inzi way. Ahmar Khan

Mr. Samiuddin makes important points in his article about Inzamam's captaincy. However, perhaps the most important trait a captain requires is the fidelity of his charges: Inzi is revered by the entire team and management, Younis is not. While the vice-captain is certainly an exciting prospect as future captain, I believe any paradigm shift should come after the World Cup. Ali Hasanain

My overview regarding Inzamam's captaincy and wins of the Pakistan team under his captaincy are related to the performance of individuals including himself. Most of Pakistan's wins were not actually crafted by his decision-making skills on the ground. I personally am a big fan but I think his captaincy skills have taken a further dip after his back injury which is further deteriorating and having an adverse effect on the team and matches. It would be very tough to rely on Inzamam to lead the team to winning the World Cup whereas Younis Khan offers a very fresh, dynamic and active personality to lead Pakistan. If we need to keep Younis Khan as a captain at the last minute, that would be a futher blow to Pakistan's chances. A decision has to be made a lot earlier to facilitate Younis Khan. Inzamam could sit out a few matches without causing any logistic problems to the team. Kashif Yasin

Although, Younis Khan seems to be a better choice but he also lacks certain qualities which a captain should have. We need an authoritative captain with a forceful personality. Perhaps, someone like Imran Khan? As far as Inzamam is concerned, he was never a good captain. I do see some leadership qualities in Shoaib Akhtar but he has fitness problems as well his attitude. If he can overcome all that then he can become a successful captain. Zul

The point is whether Younis is good enough on his own or is it that Inzamam's soothing presence in the background allows Younis to prosper as captain during the short stints he has had. It is still a young and inexperienced team and I foresee that it should be allowed to settle down more with Inzamam overseeing matters. Younis is still young and an emotional kind of character. He needs more years on his side. Secondly, if you fire Inzamam as a captain from ODIs he will never even contemplate playing for the Test side. We should take advantage of Inzamam's genius though I still believe he has shortcomings as captain but considering Pakistan's brittle history of breaking down without experience on foreign tours, he is still the best choice. Salman Riaz

Inzi should stay as captain, simple as that. He has performed well under pressure-cooker situations and attacks on his captaincy are unwarranted. There should be a smooth transfer of power from him to whoever would be the next captain rather then a haphazard sacking, which unfortunately is a norm in Pakistan. There shouldn't be a knee-jerk reaction to every loss or win. Mazhar

Head or heart, it's only logical that Inzamam continues until the World Cup. With less than a year left, it doesn't make sense that Pakistan tinker with their long-term management, or drop their best batsman. I have a feeling Inzi will himself call it quits (at least from the shorter form of the game), at the end of the World Cup. Syed Moosavi

I think Pakistan should perservere with Inzamam. The loss to India, although disappointing, was a good wake-up call. The performance improved immediately after against Sri Lanka. We need stability and continuity in the team on the lead up to and through the world cup. Pakistan are a strong and settled squad and any change now could jeopardise what is a good chance to win the world cup. Amran Yousaf

I think looking at Inzy's career as captain, one should give him the benefit of doubt and let him deliver till the world cup. So, one year later, Younis Khan will only be one year older, still 29, to become captain. At that age, he still has opportunity to captain the team for the next world cup in 2011. Mahesh

In an ideal world Inzamam should be in both teams as long as he is fit ,willing to play and stays in form. He desrves it but I dont think Pakistan can ever be number one or two in the world with him as a captain. If Pakistan stand any chance in the world cup it can be under Younis Khan's captaincy. The decision should be taken before the England series. Mujahid Zaheer

The fact that this is even a discussion is an absurd, and one that could only happen in either India or Pakistan. Inzamam may not be the most energetic or galvanizing force in international cricket, but that's not what is required of him. Younis can provide his energy just as easily from the vice-captain position; is he suddenly transformed upon being handed captaining duties? Inzamam has provided the one thing that has been sorely missing since Imran left: stability. The players are by and large the same from a few years ago, but it is Inzamam and Woolmer's working relationship and their ability to transmit that to the team that has helped them be even as successful as they have been. Pakistan has never lacked for energy, it is the stability and even-keel of someone like Inzamam they have missed. And to even think of dropping the one player who has come up big every single time it mattered, is just ludicrous. Saad Rahim

True, Inzamam has lost his magical touch ever since England were reduced to ashes in Pakistan. The heart definetly barks out Inzi as his contribution to Pakistan is unparalleled. But, what I fail to understand is our tendency as a nation to quickly generalize a player's calibre. Inzi needs to stick around until the WC. Younis is definetly my pick but only as a Test captain. His form in ODI's doesn't warrant attention nor praise. Shoaib Malik seems like a gutsy choice given his recent form and temperament. My pick after WC 07: Younis test captain, Malik ODI captain. Jahanzeb Syed

I personally don't think that Inzamam should be captain. I think his time has come and he should be sacked. Pakistan has a long history of holding on to ageing stars for far too long, in which the only reason for their place is based on past accomplishments rather than current form. If Pakistan is to take the next step in being the lone challanger to Australia then it must change this policy. Osama Malik