LAHORE: Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt has hit out at Shahid Afridi over his recent comments on the issue of captaincy, saying the star all-rounder does not even deserve to be in the playing eleven.

Butt, who served as chairman from 2008 to 2011 and had a rocky relationship with Afridi when he was leading the T20 and ODI squads, said there was no need to replace Misbah-ul-Haq as captain for the 2015 World Cup.

"If you ask for my opinion I don't think he [Afridi] should be in the side on his performances but this is something for the selectors to decide. If they feel he still has a role to play in the team so be it," Press Trust of India quoted Butt as saying after his meeting with current chairman Shaharyar Khan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

"Shaharyar is a noble and honest person and I told him today that on the captaincy issue there is no need to remove Misbah-ul-Haq until the World Cup no matter what his form," Butt added.

"Misbah has served Pakistan cricket well since the spot fixing scandal and led the side sensibly and intelligently and today if he is struggling for form he needs to be given full support and encouragement."

The controversial Butt said he was hopeful Pakistan would turn a corner before the World Cup after suffering a 3-0 ODI series whitewash at the hands of Australia.

"Certainly I will not write them off and I think this series against Australia and New Zealand will do them a world of good," he added.

Meanwhile, there are reports circulating in the local media that the under-fire Afridi has decided to return to first-class cricket in a bid to regain his batting form. He will represent Habib Bank in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, according to sources.