Pakistan's stand-in captain Mohammad Yousuf has called for batsman Misbah-ul Haq to be included in the team against New Zealand.

Misbah was dropped by selectors following a string of poor performances in all three formats of the game, and was instead asked to regain form by playing domestic cricket.

But with regular captain Younus Khan pulling out of the three-Test series against New Zealand, Yousuf wants Misbah as his replacement.

"The team is fine but I have asked the board for Misbah-ul-Haq to fill the gap that has appeared in the middle order as Younus would not be playing in the series," Yousuf told the News.

"He (Misbah) is a good batsman and I think he would prove helpful for the team.

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"He has been playing well in domestic cricket and I hope he would also perform well in the series against New Zealand."

Yousuf has also believes a successful tour depends on the players all pulling in the same direction.

"Our performance depends on team unity," he said.

"I will try my best to bring the players and team management together and also give my best performance."

The first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan will get under way in Dunedin on November 24.

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