Shoaib Akhtar says he wants Sarfraz Ahmed to return as Pakistan captain  

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has said he wants to see Sarfraz Ahmed return as the captain of the cricket team, as the skipper has been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for four matches.

“I said what I saw [Durban incident], and I have nothing to do with his [Sarfraz] opinion over it, but the return of Sarfraz as captain is important,” said Akhtar, while talking to local media.

Earlier, the Pakistan cricket captain hit back at Akhtar after he returned to Pakistan few days after the controversial incident during match against South Africa. The skipper said that the former fast bowler was 'attacking' him 'personally'.

“The problem with Sarfraz is, he doesn’t know what and when to speak,” said Akhtar, while talking about Sarfraz's statement. Akhtar further opined that the skipper now needs to concentrate on the upcoming ODIs as he plans to make his return.

Sarfraz was handed a four-match suspension by the ICC, after he was caught via the stump mics making a racist comment against the South African all rounder Andile Phehlukwayo in the 2nd ODI at Durban.

The Pakistani skipper was strongly criticised for his remarks, by many including Shoaib Akhtar who demanded a public apology from him. “The incident is completely unacceptable for a Pakistani. I think he did this in the heat of the moment and he should publicly apologize,” the former pacer said in his video tweet.