The Pakistan Cricket Board appointed Mohammad Hafeez in place of Misbah ul-Haq as captain of the T20 squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
While Misbah will continue to lead Pakistan in Tests and ODIs, Hafeez will be his deputy in the two formats.
Former captains Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik were in contention for captaincy of the T20 side but PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf indicated the PCB was looking at a long-term option.
"Misbah has rendered great service to Pakistan cricket but we felt it is time to appoint someone younger for T20 format," Ashraf told a press conference, in Lahore on Thursday.
"We have picked Hafeez keeping in mind the future but Misbah will continue to lead in Tests and ODIs. The appointments are for the coming tour to Sri Lanka," he said.
Pakistan will tour Sri Lanka from May 29 to play three Tests, five ODIs and two T20 matches.