Decision to remove Shaheen as captain was taken in "haste": Zaka Ashraf

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf has termed the removal of star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi as national team skipper "hasty decision".

The ex-cricket body chief opened up about the change while talking to media in Lahore.

"Shaheen Afridi should have been given a chance as captain," Ashraf said.

Refuting Shahid Afridi's claims, Zaka said that the former captain had not given him any advice to make wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan captain.

However, he expressed his best wishes for "world-class batter Babar Azam", who was reappointed as skipper of Green Shirts.

Ashraf also spilled some beans on the rumours of him being appointed as the Governor Punjab, saying would accept the party's [PPP] decision in this regard.

On March 31, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) replaced Shaheen with Babar as white-ball captain.

The fast bowler just led the team in the T20 series against New Zealand, where green shirts failed to secure victory and were defeated by the Kiwis 4-1. 

Shaheen also expressed dismay over the fake statement attributed to him by the cricket board following Babar's appointment.

“It was an absolute honour to captain the Pakistan National Cricket Team. I will always cherish the memories and the opportunity. As a team player, it is my duty to back our captain, Babar Azam. I have played under his captaincy and have nothing but respect for him. I will try to help him on and off the field. We are all one. Our aim is the same, to help Pakistan become the best team in the world,” the PCB said quoting Shaheen as saying.

Reacting to the statement, Afridi said that the authorities had not discussed or taken his permission before releasing the statement.