Karachi, Nov.14 (ANI): Notwithstanding Younis Khan’s remarks about altercations among senior players in the team, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt has said there is no rift inside the squad.

“I don’t believe in these speculations. Every time the team is not doing well, these kind of speculations and rumours (of internal rift) start coming around, and there is nothing like that in the team. Younis needed a break and he took it,” Butt said.

Commenting on Mohammad Yousuf’s appointment as the Test captain, Butt told media persons over phone from Dubai that he was the best option available following Younus Khan opting out of the series against New Zealand.

“We concluded that Yousuf is the best choice at this time to lead the team as he is the senior most player in the side. He was the ideal alternative and there were no disagreements over his appointment and we are confident he can do the job in New Zealand,” The Dawn quoted Butt, as saying.

Meanwhile, reports are that the PCB’s Governing Council is unimpressed by Butt’s decision to appoint Yousuf as the skipper for the New Zealand series without consulting it.

Council members Wazir Ali Khoja, who is likely to replace Butt after his retirement, and Muhammad Ali Shah claimed that he did not take the council into confidence while announcing Yousuf’s name for captaincy.

“Perhaps because he (Butt) was in Dubai and everything was happening there, so he took decisions.But, with improved communication facilities in the modern day world, the PCB chairman could have set a good example by talking to the council members on a very important issue,” Khoja said.

Referring reports about differences among players in the team, Khoja said things would get clear only when Butt briefs the council personally over the issue.

“From the way things have gone, it looks the players were not happy with Younis so he stepped down but we will only know the real story when the chairman returns and we get a briefing from him,” he said. (ANI)