KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board
should appoint flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi the helmsman of the national
team, feels former leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed.

Mushtaq, who leaves
next week for South Africa to join England team as the bowling consultant,
thinks Afridi could prove to be a very successful leader.

“I think,
it would be better if the PCB change the captain (Younis Khan) and give the
responsibility to Afridi. As Younis himself has said it does not bother him if
he is not the captain and willing to play as a senior member of the side,”
Mushtaq said in an interview.

Mushtaq’s comments came a day after
Afridi had a meeting with PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt, in which the team’s
performance in the Champions Trophy was discussed.

Pakistan would
next play a three-match one-day series against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi and two
Twenty20 matches in Dubai from November 3.

Mushtaq was quite
impressed after watching Afridi leads his department team Habib Bank in the
domestic circuit.

“Afridi is one of those players, who if given extra
responsibility of captaincy will also raise his individual game. We saw that
happen in the Champions Trophy tie against the West Indies when he put his head
down and batted with responsibility,” Mushtaq said.

Mushtaq said the
Pakistan team needed clear leadership and Afridi was the best choice to lead the
team until the 2011 World Cup.

“The team needs to play more
positively without fear and Afridi can bring that element to the team. Besides,
as a senior player and vice-captain he is not bothered about seeking advice from
other players. That is sign of a good captain,” Mushtaq said.

“As far
as Younis is concerned, he is a team man and I don’t think he will be bothered
if Afridi is made captain,” he added.