Former all-rounder Shahid Afridi has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to follow the policy of having one skipper across formats to avoid conflict over captaincy.

Until last year, Pakistan followed this policy as Babar Azam led the side in all forms of the game. However, Babar decided to relinquish captaincy from all three formats after the Men in Green endured a dismal World Cup 2023 campaign on Indian soil.

Subsequently, the PCB named Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood as the T20 and Test skipper respectively. The board is yet to announce an ODI captain since the team doesn’t have any 50-over fixture scheduled in the next few months.

"The PCB must have one captain for all formats and there is no need to have a vice-captain. This will give a clear message to all players who is in charge," Afridi told reporters.

The 46-year-old also extended his support to team director Mohammad Hafeez, saying that the captain and team management should get at least three-year contracts.

"If you think Mohammad Hafeez is good then don't just judge him on one series give him proper time and the same should apply to the captain as well he should be there for three years," he added.

Afridi further opined that players in the T20I squad should be given an extended run ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29.

"The World T20 Cup is going to be a very tough tournament this year with some very strong teams in the hunt for the title. I also don't think this is the time to make any changes in the format squad," Afridi said.

"We just need to continue with the same group of players and give them confidence. But yes I would like to see Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub open the batting in T20s,” he remarked.

(With PTI inputs)