Pakistan's Razzaq rapped for criticising skipper

Pakistan cricket chiefs Tuesday ordered veteran all-rounder Abdul Razzaq to explain himself after he publicly criticised skipper Mohammed Hafeez for dropping him for the World Twenty20 semi-final.

The 32-year-old was replaced by fast bowler Sohail Tanveer for Pakistan's semi-final defeat against Sri Lanka last week, a decision which Hafeez said was unanimous.

But when the team returned to Pakistan on Saturday, Razzaq blasted the captain for acting alone.

"I was disappointed sitting outside while the team was losing the match," Razzaq said.

"I know the team management didn't drop me, it was Hafeez who left me out. He should speak up and admit his decision."

Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said Razzaq had breached the player's code of conduct, which forbids players from speaking to the media without prior permission from the board.

"Razzaq has violated the code of conduct and we have served him a show-cause notice. He has seven days to answer the notice," Sarwar told AFP.

Razzaq made 22 in Pakistan's Super Eights match in the World Twenty20, his only appearance in the tournament.

West Indies beat hosts Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday to lift the trophy.