Leeds (UK), July 19: Pakistan’s new cricket captain Salman Butt has said that he did not expect all-rounder to quit the job, and now that he has taken over, he has appealed to both fans and the PCB to show patience to enable the team to realize its full potential.
The in-form 25-year-old told Cricinfo: “I was partially ready for something like this, but I didn't expect him [Afridi] to retire like this. So mentally I was partially prepared. I don't have much experience. I have only played 28 Tests. You can call me a senior batsman, but compared to other big players I am just two or three years older. I am not promising big things, but there is definitely hope and the future is safe."
Having promised he would be "playing for Pakistan primarily and secondly for myself" during his tenure, Butt pleaded for support for his inexperienced team, which he said was well served at Lord's by debutant batsmen Azhar Ali and Umar Amin.
"The average age of the side is under 25 so to have this potential is important. If we can see the youngsters play for the next 10-12 years, we can build a very good unit. But the important thing is that we have to be patient because experience does not have any short cuts. We have to give ourselves and the youngsters time and at the same time work hard," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.
It (Afrida’s decision to retire from Test cricket) is a big decision to make and not too many people would''ve gone through and made a decision like he did," said Butt.