Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has said that Pakistan Cricket team management has made a mistake by having too many expectations from Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal.

“I don’t know but it was wrong to expect them to be like Virat Kohli or AB de Villiers and perform like them,” Afridi said on Geo News channel on Monday.

The duo was axed for the tour of England owing to their past indiscipline and poor recent form. They were also excluded from the training and skills camps set up by the cricket board.

The flamboyant all-rounder said that discipline should not be compromised but at the same time asked everyone to let the duo play peacefully.

“I also agree there should be no compromise on discipline. But I think it is best if we stop expecting too much from them and just let them be and let them play the way they do. With more experience I am sure they will be much better,” he added.

“But don’t expect them to perform like Kohli or de Villiers. Don’t make such comparisons.”

Afridi, who had stopped short of officially announcing his retirement from T20 cricket, said he has given himself another two years.

“I have given myself another two years of cricket as I am still enjoying the sport. Whether I play in foreign or domestic leagues or for Pakistan it does not matter. I have given myself two more years. Whenever the selectors need me for Pakistan I am always available for the country,” he said.

Afridi, who stepped down as the national T20 captain in April after poor performances from the national team in the Asia Cup and World T20, said that he was impressed by the way Chief selector Inzamam ul Haq had called him up and spoken to him about his future plans.

“It was a good and positive thing and showed respect for a player. I told Inzamam if he wants to try out youngsters he should do that but whenever he feels he needs me I am there to play for Pakistan.”