Afridi steps down as Pakistan captain claiming temperament is wrong

Afridi announced his decision after Pakistan had fallen to a 150-run defeat at Lord's yesterday.

Part-time off-spinner Marcus North emerged as Australia's unexpected match-winner, taking 6-55 as Pakistan were bowled out for 289 in pursuit of 440.

Afridi had ended four years of Test retirement to take over as captain after previous incumbents Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan were reprimanded following Pakistan's calamitous tour of Australia.

But the 30-year decided he does not have the temperament to play Test cricket. Afridi made the decision after he was out yesterday for two, caught on the deep mid-wicket boundary from just his fourth ball.

"My temperament is not good enough to play Test cricket," said Afridi, who has also been struggling with a side injury.

"Over the last four years I have played a lot of one-dayers and Twenty20s and so I am going in with the same temperament.

"In Test cricket the demands are totally different. You can say I am not strong enough mentally.

"Captains should be an example for youngsters and for the team but I didn't show any example. I am not capable of playing Test cricket. If I play cricket like this it is better to leave."

Afridi, who would be interested in continuing as limited-overs captain, anointed Salman Butt as his natural successor in the Test team. And he urged the authorities to recall Younus Khan for the forthcoming Test series against England. Butt was Pakistan's key batsman at Lord's, top-scoring in both innings with 63 and 92. Australia's victory march only really began yesterday when North had him stumped down the leg side.

"Salman has showed his maturity and I think he is good enough to take over this team as captain," said Afridi. "(But) we need experienced players in these English conditions. We need Younus Khan."

Afridi's announcement took Butt by surprise and also Australia's captain Ricky Ponting, who was celebrating a 13th consecutive Test victory over Pakistan. "Lots of funny things happen around the Pakistan side," he said.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis, though, understands Afridi's decision. "He hasn't played a Test for a long time. He feels he doesn't fit into this and for the best interests of the team he will step down," said Waqar.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat wants discussion on the prospect of international cricket returning to Pakistan to begin by the end of next year and claimed he would personally join any team touring the nation. Pakistan has not hosted an international series since the Sri Lanka team bus was ambushed in a gun attack before a Test match in Lahore in March last year.

Sri Lanka immediately abandoned the tour after seven players were injured, while the bus driver was killed, with subsequent scheduled tours to Pakistan having been staged at 'neutral' venues.

Lorgat is fearful, however, that a lack of cricket in Pakistan could undermine the future of the game in the country, hinting that the ICC may look to send a hand-picked XI in the future to cover the lack of bi-lateral series in the Asian nation.