LAHORE, July 4: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf has backed T20 captain Mohammad Hafeez and said there is no plan to replace him with either Shahid Afridi or Misbah-ul-Haq.

Talking to reporters after honouring the national U-19 team at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) here on Wednesday for sharing the Asia Cup title with India at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last Sunday, Zaka said Hafeez has a lot of talent and ability and the management has no plans to replace him.

Zaka said he had also been hearing some news regarding Afridi showing interest in leading the team at the World Twenty20 in September but there was no authentic information from the seasoned all-rounder himself regarding the matter.

He also negated the impression that Misbah would be called back in the T20 format despite the reports the other day that the Test and ODI captain would be included among the probables for the World Twenty20 on the recommendation of Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore.

Meanwhile, the chairman hailed the performance of the national U-19 team in the recently-concluded Asia Cup and expressed hope it would also deliver in the Junior World Cup, to be held in Australia in August this year.

Zaka disclosed that the national side would also play a three-match series against Australia before competing in the World Cup.

He said the performance of the young team proved Pakistan had tremendous cricketing talent in the country.

Later, he announced a cash award of Rs200,000 for each U-19 player and Rs100,000 apiece for the officials. He also announced an additional sum of Rs100,000 for opener Sami Aslam for his outstanding performance in the Asia Cup where the youngster was declared as player of the tournament, man of the final as well as the batsman of the tournament.