Domestic setup is flawed - Younis

Pakistan captain Younis Khan has rejected claims that 'groupism' within the team has led to below-par performances during the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka. Instead, the poor structure back home is to blame, Younis said. "The problem with Pakistan cricket is that our domestic structure is flawed," he said.

The visitors lost the three-Test series 0-2 and surrendered the ODI series with a six-wicket defeat - their third consecutive loss in the five-match series - yesterday in Dambulla. "The players produced have flawed techniques," Younis said. "They only manage to overcome it once they start playing for the national team."

Younis said that he faced similar problems as well early in his career. "When I made it into the Pakistan team, my technique was not so good. It took me two years to get it right," he said.

Some experts have blamed the lack of unity in the Pakistan team for its poor showing in Sri Lanka, with some claiming that a few senior players like former captain Shoaib Malik and vice-captain Misbah-ul-Haq had intentionally under-performed to cause Younis' downfall.

Younis, however, rejected such claims and said he had an excellent rapport with all his players, including the seniors. "I'm not a mad man. I don't go out fighting with everyone," he said. "I have a perfectly fine relationship with the players."