The Pakistan Cricket Board has axed under-fire skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed from captaincy. The all-format captain has also been dropped for the upcoming series against Australia, where Pakistan will play three T20Is and two Tests. The step comes exactly 12 months ahead of the T20 World Cup that will be staged in Australia.
Azhar Ali will now lead the Test side, while Babar Azam will captain T20Is. Pakistan do not play an ODI series till July next year, hence an ODI skipper has not yet been named.
Under Ahmed’s leadership, Pakistan reached the number one rankings in T20Is and also won the Champions Trophy in 2017 by beating India in the finals. However, a dismal run in the World Cup, where Pakistan failed to qualify for the top four, and then a shock T20I series loss at home against a depleted Sri Lankan side meant that the PCB had to look for other alternatives.
“There is no bigger honour than to captain the Pakistan national cricket team in the pinnacle format of the game,” Azhar Ali said following the appointment. “I feel humbled, excited and privileged, and with the support of the team, look forward to justifying the faith that has been entrusted upon me for the World Test Championship.
“Sarfaraz Ahmed has done an excellent job in transforming raw talent into experienced players and I now look forward to inspiring those skillful players in our endeavours to collectively achieve our World Test Championship objectives and beyond.”
While Ali is Pakistan’s leading batsman in the Test circuit currently with more than 5600 runs, Azam is the world’s number one T20I batsman and was also the vice-captain in the series against Sri Lanka. “To be named captain of the No.1 ranked side in the world is the biggest thing that has happened to my career to date,” Babar said. “I am ready for this challenge and also willing to learn more in the process. I feel it has been a natural progression for me and I am delighted that the PCB has put faith in my capabilities.”
PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani acknowledged Sarfaraz’s contribution to Pakistan by saying, “ “I want to congratulate Azhar Ali and Babar Azam on their elevations to the most coveted and prestigious jobs in cricket,” Ehsan said. “It has been a difficult decision to drop Sarfaraz Ahmed, who has performed well as a player and a leader. But, his loss in form and confidence is visible and, in the best interest of the team, it has been decided to leave him out and provide him the opportunity to reflect and regroup himself and try to reclaim his form away from international cricket.
“Sarfaraz Ahmed’s contributions are second to none and being the gutsy cricketer and fighter that we all know he is, I have no doubts he will be back in Pakistan colours at some stage,” he further added.