Younis Khan has called on Pakistan to stay focused on the job in hand after a turbulent 48 hours was capped with his reinstatement as team captain.
Younis, who on Thursday refused to lead his side into the ICC Champions Trophy, returned to the role after Shaharyar Khan resigned as chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board yesterday.
'I just hope we can now put everything behind us and try to do well in the tournament,' Younis said at a press conference in Lahore before the team left for India.
'I know the last two days have also been hard on the people who wanted to know why I had left the captaincy.'
Younis was joined by Mohammad Yousuf - appointed skipper after Younis rejected the role - who insisted he was happy to return to the position of vice-captain.
'I will extend full co-operation to the captain, as I did in the past,' he said.
Younis was invited to return by Dr Naseem Ashraf, who has taken over as PCB chairman.
'Our team is no less than any in world cricket,’ Ashraf said.
'Our first priority is to unify the team for the sake of the country. We are looking at a positive future for Pakistan cricket and, in that light, Younis Khan has been reinstated as captain and Mohammad Yousuf is to be his vice-captain.
'Our main concern at this stage was to unite the team. I spoke to Yousuf and he had no problems with the change,' he added.
On Thursday, Younis shocked a press conference by announcing he would not accept the role, saying he did not want to be a 'dummy captain'.
It is thought Younis was unhappy at the selection of Faisal Iqbal as a replacement for Inzamam-ul-Haq - Pakistan's permanent skipper, who is suspended for four one-day internationals following the protests over ball-tampering allegations during the tour of England.
The PCB threatened disciplinary action following Younis' announcement but, after Shaharyar's exit yesterday, he has instead been restored to the role.
'I have taken up the captaincy for the nation once again,' Younis said. 'Even if I wasn't captain, I would have given my full effort as a player.'
It was also announced that Mushtaq Ahmed, who had not even overseen a game, had been sacked as assistant coach.
The Sussex spinner's appointment was made during the tour of England but he did not take up the role until after the team returned home.
His selection was heavily criticised as the former Pakistan leg-spinner had been barred from holding any post with the team after being implicated in match-fixing by Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum's inquiry in 1998.
Ashraf said he had been told by Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf, a patron of the PCB, to end the political wrangling on the board.
'There is no place for politics in cricket and transparency is needed,' Ashraf said. 'Cricket will be run by cricketers and the board by good administrators.'
