Afridi: Pakistan should make Butt the new Test captain

Shahid Afridi identified Salman Butt as the ideal man to take over the Pakistan captaincy when he steps down after next week's second Test against Australia.

Afridi announced his decision to quit after Pakistan had fallen to a 150-run defeat at Lord's, claiming his poor temperament is a bad example on the rest of the team.

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

"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. Salman has showed his maturity and I think he is good enough to take over this team as captain."

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

Afridi made the decision to quit Test cricket again after he was out for two on Friday, caught on the deep mid-wicket boundary from just his fourth ball.

Asked whether the problem is that he cannot help trying to hit every ball for six, he said: "Yes! 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."

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 when Marcus North had him stumped down the leg side.

Afridi also urged the authorities to recall Younis Khan for the forthcoming Test series against England.

He said: "We need experienced players in these English conditions. We need Younis Khan."

North, a part-time off-spinner, was Australia's unexpected match-winner, taking six for 55 as Pakistan were bowled out for 289 in pursuit of 440.

It was Australia's 13th consecutive Test victory over Pakistan, dating back to 1999.

North had only taken six wickets in his Test career before Friday. Remarkably, his return was the best ever by an Australian spinner at Lord's.

"I thought he bowled really well and it goes to show his all-round talents," said Ponting.

North joins Shane Watson on the new neutral Test honours board at Lord's.