Karachi, Nov.14 (ANI): Newly appointed Pakistan Test captain Mohammad Yousuf has backed middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq to fill in the gap created in the batting order by the absence of Younis Khan.

"Our 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 Younis would not be playing in the series," The News quoted Yousuf, as saying.

Yousuf said Haq has been performing well in the domestic season and has done well at the international level in the past, so must be there on the Kiwi tour.

"He (Misbah) is a good batsman and I think he would prove helpful for the team. He has been playing well in domestic cricket and I hope he would also perform well in the series against New Zealand," he said.

Haq is currently playing in Bangladesh's domestic league, after being axed from both the Test and one-day squad for the series against the Black Caps.

Referring to the controversies surrounding the team, Yousuf said he would try his best to make the players gel together, as only then the team can perform well on the tour.

"Team's performance depends on the unity within the team and I will try my best to bring together all the players and team management and give a top performance myself," he said. (ANI)