Younus should not have skipped New Zealand tour: Afridi

Lahore, Nov.13 (ANI): Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder and captain of the T20 squad Shahid Afridi has said that Younus Khan should not have opted out of the Test series against New Zealand starting next week.

"He was having problems, but I don't think he should have taken the decision to skip the tour. He should have played on because the captain is the central figure in a team," The Nation quoted Afridi, as saying.

Afridi's comments came days after the Pakistan Cricket Board appointed middle order batsman Mohammed Yousuf as captain of the Test team for the series against the Kiwis.

It was reported that Khan had himself told the PCB not to consider him for the tour, saying he needed rest.

Afridi claimed that he had always backed Khan as captain and added that it was disappointing to hear reports about some altercations between the captain and senior.

"He should have toured New Zealand. Anyway, I just hope he is back soon," he said.

Commenting on Pakistan's loss in the UAE one-day series against New Zealand, Afridi said the loss was a 'dark chapter in Pakistan cricket history', and that it was now even more important to win the T20 series.

"New Zealand is a very good Twenty20 side and they have some explosive players.

So, we have to be at our best to win this series even though we are the world champions," he said.

Pakistan has already won the first T20 by 49 runs. The second match would be played on Friday (today) in Dubai. (ANI)