Younis returns to lead Pakistan against Northamptonshire

Younis Khan, the Pakistan vice-captain, returns from injury to lead his side in their four-day tour match against Northamptonshire. Younis, 28, was ruled out of the first Test at Lord's with a prolonged knee niggle but will captain in place of Inzamam-ul-Haq as an injury-hit Pakistan rest key players ahead of the second Test beginning July 27 at Old Trafford.

Younis has been in outstanding form since Bob Woolmer took over as coach in late 2004, and has racked off five hundreds in his last 11 Tests at an average of 77. Woolmer was more than pleased at news of Younis' availability and praised his the side for their performance in the drawn Lords's encounter. "He is 100% fit and will be back and firing, which is very good news for us," he has been quoted as telling BBC Sport. "The positives of the Test were that we didn't crumble in the face of a large total, that we continued the fighting spirit we have shown over the last 18 months and that we are still in the series with a chance of winning."

Pakistan have also decided to rest Abdul Razzaq, troubled by a back problem, Danish Kaneria, and Mohammad Yousuf, who struck a second consecutive double hundred against England in the first Test. Three back-up recruits to England, Taufeeq Umar, the left-handed opener, and fast bowlers Samiullah Niazi and Rao Iftikhar Anjum, have been included in the side to play the tour match.

Zaheer Abbas, the current Pakistan manager, conceded that the conditions in Northampton were not dissimilar to ones back home during the domestic season and that there would be little worry of acclimitisation. "It's very much like Pakistan," he said. "We are quite used to this weather. But we are also quite keen to give players who were under the sun last week a rest."

Arshad Khan, the offspinner, has reportedly been considered as another temporary recruit for Pakistan's tour.