Pakistan appoints Sarfraz Ahmed new T20 captain

Pakistan's Cricket Board on Tuesday announced Sarfraz Ahmed as new captain of the T20 team after Shahid Afridi stepped down following his side's humiliating early exit from the World Twenty20.

A statement on the PCB website described Ahmed -- who led the Quetta Gladiators to the final in Pakistan's first-ever franchise-based T20 league in February -- as a "natural choice" for the position.

"I spoke to Sarfraz this morning and conveyed to him that he was our natural choice for this position. His appointment is open-ended. I wish him good luck in his new role," it quoted PCB chairman Sheheryar Khan as saying.

Afridi resigned as captain on Sunday after his team's exit from the tournament's group stage.

Waqar Younis resigned as head coach of the Pakistan team on Monday.

Read more: Waqar resigns as Pakistan coach

The 2009 T20 champions were widely criticised for a lacklustre performance at the latest tournament, with just one victory against unfancied Bangladesh and big losses to India, New Zealand and Australia.

Veterans like Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik have been singled out.

Ahmed, a 28-year right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, has played 21 T20 Internationals and the same number of Test matches as well as 58 one-day internationals.

Pakistan cricketer Sarfraz Ahmed. Photo: Internet