"I am happy to know that this decision by the board to confirm Afridi as captain has gone down well with everyone," Butt told the media in Lahore.
Former players Moin Khan and Wasim Akram had backed Afridi's candidature for the tough job.
However, Butt did not explain why the Board delayed the announcement of the captain. He flew to New Zealand and met with the team management and players for consultations before taking a final decision.
"I announced the captain and vice-captain for the World Cup after consulting with the team management and players," he confirmed.
Sources aware of the developments said Butt had made some things very clear to Afridi before giving him the captaincy, particularly the reservations expressed by some players over his habit of giving media statements on the performance of the team.
"Butt made it clear to Afridi and Misbah they had to work in unison and take along the team with them since some players were offended by media comments, criticizing their performances after some matches," one source said.
The source confirmed that Butt had also told Afraid and Misbah that they would have to take on board the team manager and coach in selection matters during the World Cup.
"It was Butt's decision to appoint manager Intikhab Alam as the chairman of the tour selection committee in the World Cup although in recent times the manager has not been an active part of the tour selection committee," the source said.
