Mohd Yousuf will lead Pakistan in the Test series against New Zealand after regular captain Younus Khan made himself unavailable.

Younus Khan made himself unavailable apparently in the face of severe criticism following the ODI debacle against the same opponents, according to sources.

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Yousuf, who had expressed his anger when he was dropped from the third and final ODI in Abu Dhabi which Pakistan lost 1-2, will be the captain only for the three-match Test tour of New Zealand starting November 24.

"Younus Khan has himself asked the board to excuse him for the coming tour to New Zealand as he wants a break from international cricket," a Pakistan Cricket Board official told PTI.

"The board Chairman offered the captaincy to Yousuf who has accepted it and Kamran Akmal will be his deputy for the tour," the official added.

Younus was only recently retained as captain until the 2011 World Cup after a failed bid by some senior players to have from the post. He had to face the same pressure again after Pakistan's ODI series loss to New Zealand.

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