Pakistan must have one captain for all three formats: Shahid Afridi

Former skipper Shahid Afridi has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to have one captain for all three formats of the game. Notably, after Babar Azam decided to step down as the captain of the team following a disastrous performance in the ODI World Cup, PCB management appointed Shan Masood as the Test captain while Shaheen Shah Afridi was made the leader of the T20I team. However, they are yet to announce a captain of the ODI team.

Afridi also mentioned that the team doesn't need to appoint a vice-captain at the moment. He wants the captain to have a free role in the dressing room and expects other players to understand that there’s only one person in charge. 

“The PCB must have one captain for all formats and there is no need to have a vice-captain. This will give a clear message to all players who are in charge,” Afridi was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Would like to see Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub open the batting in T20s

The 46-year-old also extended his support to team director Mohammad Hafeez. After suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of Australia and New Zealand, the team management is under a lot of pressure, and keeping that in mind, the former cricketer mentioned that Hafeez and the captains shouldn’t be judged based on one or two series and must be given at least three years to turn the fortune in Pakistan’s favour.

“If you think Mohammad Hafeez is good then don't just judge him on one series give him proper time and the same should apply to the captain as well he should be there for three years. The World T20 Cup is going to be a very tough tournament this year with some very strong teams in the hunt for the title. I also don't think this is the time to make any changes in the format squad. 

“We just need to continue with the same group of players and give them confidence. But yes I would like to see Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub open the batting in T20s,” he added.