Pakistan v New Zealand, 2009-10

One-day internationals (3): Pakistan 1, New Zealand 2
Twenty20 internationals (2): Pakistan 2, New Zealand 0

	Younis Khan's captaincy tenure came to an end © Associated Press Enlarge
Related Links Series/Tournaments: Pakistan v New Zealand ODI Series Teams: New Zealand | Pakistan

This short one-day series - played in the United Arab Emirates as Pakistan remained off-limits to touring sides - was overshadowed by the seemingly endless saga of who should captain Pakistan. Younis Khan had resigned after the Champions Trophy in the wake of unproven match-fixing claims, but was persuaded to return. Now, though, rumours that senior players were unhappy at his approach resurfaced, and Younis finally stepped down, presumably for good, after a narrow defeat in the one-day series in Abu Dhabi.

Younis told the Pakistan board that he felt he had "no command" over his team. "And if a leadership has no command over its players, what is the point of continuing to lead?" Mohammad Yousuf stepped up to captain the Test and 50-over sides, while Shahid Afridi continued to lead in Twenty20 games (he won both of the matches against New Zealand, in Dubai).

New Zealand won the 50-over series despite being weakened by the absence ofGrant Elliott, JesseRyder andDaryl Tuffey, all injured during theChampions Trophy. They also travelled without a coach: Andy Moles resigned three days before the team departed. Some reports suggested Moles had been forced out by senior players unhappy at his technical input, but this was denied by New Zealand Cricket, which claimed the decision came after a review of recent performances.

Match reports for

1st ODI: New Zealand v Pakistan at Abu Dhabi, Nov 3, 2009
Report | Scorecard

2nd ODI: New Zealand v Pakistan at Abu Dhabi, Nov 6, 2009
Report | Scorecard

3rd ODI: New Zealand v Pakistan at Abu Dhabi, Nov 9, 2009
Report | Scorecard