Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi on Friday congratulated Ramiz Raja on being named as the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and supported his idea by saying that “change was necessary”.

Shahid while speaking to the media said, “Ramiz Raja is experienced and I congratulate him,”

He added, “Ramiz Raja understands cricket and has seen the game around the world,”

He further added that “change was necessary” in the board, and “it is now taking place”.

Shahid Afridi said that he will observe what decisions Ramiz takes in the future. He also called for people to be raised on merit from within the cricket board.

Shahid supported the view that Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik should be given a chance, as the Pakistan cricket team “needs them”.

According to him, many new players had been given a chance to play for the team, but they “could not perform”.

Shahid said, “Shoaib Malik has contributed a great deal to Pakistani cricket and we need his services once more,”

He called for Hafeez and Malik, to be included in the Twenty20 World Cup squad.

He also spoke highly of Shaheen Shah Afridi, calling him an “excellent” cricketer with a “bright future”.

He said, “He will need to be utilised with care,”