Abdul Razzaq backs Shahid Afridi as limited-overs captain

Shahid Afridi

Karachi: Pakistan's out-of-favour all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has once again spoken out in favour of appointing Shahid Afridi as the captain of the national one-day and Twenty20 teams before the 2015 World Cup.

Razzaq, who is these days playing league cricket in England, said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) needed to appoint an aggressive, positive and seasoned player as captain for the World Cup to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

"I think in present circumstances Shahid Afridi is the best choice. We need to realize that the requirements of test, ODI and T20 cricket are entirely different. It is not necessary someone who is a successful captain in test can do the same in the limited overs format," Razzaq said on Geo super channel.

The all-rounder discarded by the selectors since last year said he had nothing against Misbah-ul-Haq but it was a fact that he had introduced a defensive mindset and a passive culture in the team.

"Nowadays in limited overs cricket you need to play fast and positive cricket and the captain also needs to take quick out of the box decisions. I think Afridi can do that," he said.

Razzaq pointed out that Afridi was removed as captain of the ODI and T20 teams in 2011 without any logical reason.

"There was no reason to remove him but the board can now undo that wrong and give Pakistan a realistic chance of doing well in the World Cup," the experienced Razzaq said.

The PCB is set to announce the new T20 captain on tomorrow.

He said the Pakistan team had talented players but the captain and seniors needed to take more responsibility and show the way.

Asked about his availability for the Pakistan team, Razzaq said he was always available to play for the national side.

"I am playing right now in England and I am fit. Last year also after I was selected I got unfit and after that no one bothered to ask me my position. I can?t force anyone to select me if they want to consider me I am also willing to fly back to Pakistan to give any fitness tests," Razzaq added.

He made it clear no one had approached him to play for the Lahore Lions team in the ongoing Oppo Champions League Twenty20.

"If someone had asked me I would have gone because it is a major event and it is an honour to see the Lahore team in it."