Shahid Khan Afridi

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell praised Shahid Afridi’s “honesty” after he declared himself “not fit” to lead the team as Pakistan bowed out of the World T20 suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of India, New Zealand and Australia.

“Very honest appraisal,” Chappell commented on ESPNcricinfo’s Match Day.

“I don’t think so it was doing him any favours giving him the captaincy because he is one of those sorts of erratic geniuses you never know what you’re going to get next. I’m not sure if that’s the right temperament for captaincy.”

Afridi, during the post-match ceremony in Mohali, said he was no longer up to captaining Pakistan after his team’s exit but held back from making an announcement on his possible retirement.

“I will announce it in my country. Whatever is better for the country, I will go with that. As a player, I am fit. As a captain, I am not fit,” the Pakistan captain said after the 21-run defeat against Australia on Friday.

Chappell, who played 75 Tests and 16 one-day internationals for Australia, however, touted Karachi-born wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed as a possible replacement for the 36-year-old mercurial all-rounder to lead Pakistan.

“Sarfraz Ahmed is a very aggressive player. I like the way he bats. I was a bit surprised that he came in so late in Pakistan’s innings [against Australia],” Chappell said.

“It doesn’t always apply that an aggressive cricketer is an aggressive captain but it’s nice to have somebody who thinks aggressively so he would be one option.”