Younis Khan has dismissed suggestions he is being undermined by opting out of the NZ tour and is determined to make a Test return.

The Pakistan Cricket Board named Mohammad Yousuf as captain immediately after Younis informed chairman Ijaz Butt of his decision not to take part in the three-Test tour, which began with a warm-up match against a New Zealand Invitation XI this week.

Younis accompanied Butt at Headingley this evening as Pakistan's Test series with Australia in England next summer was launched.

And the 31-year-old, who played for Yorkshire in 2007, has resolved to return to Leeds in the Pakistan side.

Younis told Press Association Sport: "This is my wish to lead my country in Yorkshire. I'm a local pro, so I have good memories."

First Younis plans to recuperate from an arduous few months, which had seen his leadership called into question.

However, the veteran of 63 Tests could first return to the Pakistan team for the January Test series in Australia.

Super Selector is all geared up for the India Vs Sri Lanka series. Have you selected your test team in the new Super Selector? Hurry! Register now and win exciting prizes.

"The last couple of months I'm everywhere," he added.

"I need some time for myself and to build myself again.

"I'll decide if I should join the team in Australia - I'll be in the team soon."

Some of the senior Pakistan players approached Younis to encourage him to tour New Zealand, but he insisted on taking a break.

"They all came and said 'come on captain, we need you'," he added.

"They're talking in the media saying 'it's not good, he should be playing a couple more years' so I think I'll be with them."

Asked whether Younis would return as Pakistan captain, Butt told Press Association Sport: "It just depends when he comes back."

Grab the espnstar.com cricket widget on your favourite social network

He added: "We have an open mind.

"He himself said that he wanted to rest. Every good cricketer has a bad patch.

"But he's a very great cricketer, there is a tremendous amount of potential in him still.

"And we would like to utilise it as best as we can."

Want to know all about numbers on the field? Ask our own stats guru Rajesh Kumar. Send in your queries to fanspeak@espnstar.co.in