'Captaincy is leadership, not age'
Pakistan's new Twenty20 captain looks forward to the challenge of leading his side in Sri Lanka, and talks about what he hopes to bring to the role

"I will create a comfortable atmosphere where every player will feel confident. The rest is my responsibility, to get the best out of these boys in the field" • AFP
They started calling me "professor" as a joke because I give a lot of feedback, and it was Ramiz [Raja] bhai who spread it in the media. My family and friends call me Chanda [moon].
I actually get involved in planning the team. I do a lot of calculations and assessments about the team and its position, and I'm blunt about sharing it.
Representing Pakistan at the national level is a big honour, for which I have a high regard, and being a captain of the side is the highest level you achieve as a cricketer. It's a privilege and I am thankful to the PCB for honouring me and trusting me. As a player I have earned a lot of respect. Now it's time to gain more respect as a captain.
Every captain has his own ideas and approach in executing plans. I too have plans; there is no set pattern and formulae captains follow. My idea might be a little different, but whatever it is will be with the consensus of the team management.
Pakistan is a cricket-loving country and people get too emotional, mainly because the expectations are very high. I think there is a need to understand the sport and its components. It's a game in which you can't maintain a straight winning graph because you can't have the same day every day.
I could have been an engineer. I did my FSC [higher secondary] from Sargodha College and always wanted to be an engineer, but instead I got involved in cricket and opted to do a Bachelor of Arts.
You can't succeed until you learn from your mistakes. There are good and bad experiences, and this process never ends. You shouldn't lose hope, and I strongly believe you can achieve anything through hard work. There is always a right time for everything. I agree that in those seven years I wasn't able to make an impact but I worked hard to come back.
I don't agree. It's not about your age, it's about leadership qualities. Any player who understands cricket, has ideas, and good man-management skills, can be a captain. Also, it's not important that every good player can be a captain because the qualities vary from player to player.
This is not the first time I am going to lead a side. I have been captaining at the regional level, departmental level, and the Pakistan A team, though it's different at this level. But then I know most of the players and have been playing with them over the years. I am optimistic about my captaincy and aim to become a better player and contribute in winning games. I understand I have additional responsibilities. I have to maintain a balance.
You always require the best line-up to play and the balance of the XI is important. Yes, I have been given a good combination. The best part of the team is that each player is talented and has a well-defined role. That will reduce my effort to redefine their role. We have a set combination and only need minor adjustments depending on the conditions.
"Players like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Umar Gul and Umar Akmal are my best men in the side, who have been performing well for years in the format"
To be very honest, I am a big fan of Test cricket. It has a grace that attracts me. I really enjoy playing it because it requires a great deal of skill. I feel privileged to play this format because it lets you feel you are at the top of your profession.
Both teams will be facing tough competition. We will be wary about the fact that Sri Lanka are always tough in their home conditions, but they are not invincible. We have a good record against them in recent times. They might have experienced players, who must be warmed up after playing in the IPL, but we have kept ourselves in perfect shape too, training and practising hard in hot conditions for the last month.
I don't want to make a precise statement here but I can tell you I will walk away when I'm no longer useful. I understand every player has to go one day, but I am currently enjoying playing cricket and have maintained a good fitness level. I haven't given a thought to how long I will play but I will continue till my form and fitness favour me.
I was comparing the Pakistan team to the rest of the world. Most of the players, including those from Sri Lanka, played in the IPL under intense scenarios, which is good from a practising point of view.
Umar Farooq is ESPNcricinfo's Pakistan correspondent