Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi has expressed his interest in captaining the national team once again, saying that he has always considered it as a big honour to captain the team.
Afridi, who led Pakistan in the last World Cup, is said to be a top candidate to get the captaincy again of the ODI side for the forthcoming series against South Africa in the UAE after sources hinted that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had decided to relieve current skipper Misbah-ul Haq of the duties
According to the Daily Times, Afridi said that he would accept the captaincy as a challenge if the PCB deems him fit to offer the position again to him, adding that he believes that all the senior players need to contribute more and play a more decisive role in the South Africa series.
The report mentioned that Afridi was removed as the captain of the Twenty20 and ODI teams in 2011 after differences with PCB and since then has not been given a chance to lead the national side again.
According to a source, although Misbah and Dav Whatmore will continue as captain and head coach for the Tests respectively, Afridi will be brought in as ODI captain while Mohammad Hafeez will continue to lead the T20 outfit, given that there is little time before the Proteas series and the Test matches are played before the limited over games.
Pakistan is due to play three Tests, five ODIs and two T20 games against South Africa from mid-October, the report added.
