Ijaz Butt defends his decision of removing Shahid Afridi

Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ijaz Butt is trying to defend his decision to remove Shahid Afridi from the captaincy of Pakistan’s One Day International (ODI) team, as he is facing heavy criticism from Afridi fans and former Pakistani cricketers.

The boss of the governing authority of cricket in Pakistan has said that the decision was taken to avoid confrontations in the team in future.

"It is the board's right to change the captain and the decision was taken in the best interests of the team", he said.

Butt, who is being criticised all across the country, is explaining his decision to change the captain of the team defensively.

“Captains are changed all over the world and no cricket board gives a reason for that", the chairman of the board stated.

Butt added; “We did what we thought was best and don't need to give a reason for it."

On 19 May, PCB sacked the star all-rounder from captaincy, as the board was not happy with Afridi for highlighting conflicts with team coach, Waqar Younis, in the media.

The way Afridi was presenting his stance publically has irked the cricket board, and forced them to take serious notice of his statement about the differences within the team management in West Indies.

36-year old middle order batsman, Misbah-ul-Haq, who is Pakistan’s 5th ODI captain in the last 3 years, has been appointed as captain of Pakistan's team against Ireland for the 2-match One Day International (ODI) series.

Butt has also clarified the reason to appoint Misbah as captain of the ODI team:

"We're looking at everyone's performance and discipline and we're trying to pinpoint a suitable candidate for the captain's position for the future".

Afridi was the captain for a long time. He was announced as the skipper in 2009 for the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Afridi has played 34 matches as ODI captain. Under his captaincy, Pakistan sealed 18 victories and suffered 15 losses, including some breathtaking matches.

Former Pakistani cricketers have criticised the PCB’s harsh decision to sack Afridi from the ODI captaincy.

Meanwhile, supporters of Boom Boom Afridi have been using social networking websites to express their anger on the recent controversial step taken by the PCB chairman.