Karachi, July 29: Pakistan on Wednesday appointed Shahid Afridi captain for their Twenty20 against Sri Lanka after Younis Khan held firm to his decision to retire from the shortest form of the game.

The 29-year-old Afridi, a dashing all-rounder, has never led Pakistan at international level and was chosen ahead of vice-captain Misbah-ul Haq. National skipper Younis announced his retirement from Twenty20 cricket after leading Pakistan to the World Twenty20 title in England last month. He refused to relent when approached to change his mind by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt.

"The PCB chairman appointed Afridi captain of the Pakistan team only for the T20 match against Sri Lanka on August 12," the PCB said in a statement.

Pakistan, who lost a three-Test series against Sri Lanka last week, meet the hosts again in the first of five one-day matches in Dambulla on Thursday. The T20 match will follow the one-day series.

Afridi has played 26 Tests, 273 one-day internationals and has appeared in 23 Twenty20 matches. — AFP