India's Aakash Chopra stands by choice to pick Shahid Afridi as best T20I all-rounder of last decade

Pakistan's former skipper Shahid Afridi — Photo: AFP

Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra has defended his choice of picking former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi as the recently ended decade's best T20I all-rounder.

At the turn of the year, Chopra, who played just 10 Tests for India before making his name as a commentator, had picked Afridi as the best T20I all-rounder of the past 10 years.

When accused by Indian fans that he had done so to earn the affection of Pakistani fans, Chopra hit back, saying Afridi's record speaks for itself.

Through his 99-match T20I career, he amassed 1,416 runs with a strike rate of 150 and at an average of 17.92. Furthermore, the former skipper bagged 98 wickets and was named the man of the match in the 2009 World T20 final when Pakistan became champions.

Meanwhile, Chopra had chosen India’s current skipper Virat Kohli as the best T20I batsman, Sri Lankan T20I captain Lasith Malinga as the best T20I bowler and England’s Jos Buttler as the best wicketkeeper.