PTI

Dhaka, May 12: Joining the debate on whether Sachin Tendulkar should call it a day, former Pakistan opener Mohsin Khan on Friday  said that the Indian batsman still had at least two years of international cricket left in him.

"Honestly speaking, if I am the captain of India, I will not allow him to retire now. He has still got at least two years of international cricket in him," Mohsin said.

The 52-year-old Mohsin, who has still retained his debonair looks, said cricket needed Tendulkar, who was more than a star.

"He has proved that he is not merely a star, but a superstar. He is a great player," said Mohsin, who flew in here as part of the selection panel for choosing the Asian team for the Afro-Asian Cup to be held in India next month.

Mohsin dismissed any talk of lack of runs from Tendulkar's blade in recent times.

"All players go through lean patches and purple patches. Sachin is also going through a lean patch."

When asked about the early exits of Pakistan and India from the World Cup, Mohsin, who played 48 Tests, said "the two teams made a mistake by not preparing a back-up. You have got to have a bench strength. If you don't have that, the team suffers".

In this context, he referred to Australia and said they were giving consistent performances for the last eight to nine years as they had good back-up.

"The Indian and Pakistan boards have also realised it now. You need youngsters to build up a strong national side. I think the positive steps taken by the boards of the two countries recently will yield good results."

On how Shoaib Malik would shape up as Pakistan captain, Mohsin said "it will be a big test for him. He is very talented. He is cool and has captained the under-19 Pakistan side. I have high regard for him.

"But you have to give him one year at least to learn the ropes. Even Imran (Khan) took two-three years to become a good captain."