Daily Times

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday retained Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain of the national squad while Babar Azam was named his deputy for three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals home series against Sri Lanka, which will be played from September 27 to October 9 in Pakistan. In April 2016, Sarfaraz was appointed Pakistan captain for the T20Is before being elevated as ODI captain in early 2017. He was then named captain across all formats following the 2017 tour of the West Indies. To date, Sarfaraz has captained Pakistan in 13 Tests, 48 ODIs and 34 T20Is, winning 04, 26 and 29 matches respectively. There had been speculation that the PCB may not retain him after Pakistan failed to make it to the semi-finals of the World Cup held in England this year. The PCB had already chosen to move on from Mickey Arthur who had been the Pakistan coach at the World Cup and Sarfaraz’s performances, as captain and player, had not been the best. The 32-year old wicketkeeper has made 621 runs from his last 29 innings at an average of 32, with only four fifties. But perhaps encouraged by the way Pakistan ended their World Cup campaign, with four wins in a row and only missing out on the semi-finals on net run-rate, both the PCB and new head coach and chief selector Misbahul Haq have given him their full backing.

The PCB has also appointed 24-year old Babar as vice-captain in both formats. Babar, who is ranked 16th in Tests, third in ODIs and No.1 in T20Is, has previously captained Pakistan in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2012. He had also featured in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2010 before breaking into international cricket in 2015 and since has been a regular feature of the side in all formats. The appointments were confirmed by PCB Chairman Mr Ehsan Mani, following recommendations made by Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah and the PCB Cricket Committee. Nineteen probables for the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka will be announced on Monday (September 16). The camp will commence at the National Cricket Academy from Wednesday (September 18). The 16-player ODI and T20I squads will be named on Monday (September 23).

Sarfaraz said he was “honoured” to be re-appointed and that he would do all he can to increase Pakistan’s consistency. “I am aware we have not done justice to our potential in ODIs, which has disappointed us as well as our fans,” he said. “I am hopeful we will be able to turn things around in the coming season and in this relation. I remain committed to stepping up to the challenge with my performances and captaincy. I also have complete faith in my team, which has time and again shown talent, class and charisma it possesses. The only thing missing has been consistency, which Misbah and I would like to focus and improve across all departments of the game. I assure all our fans we will not leave any stone unturned in our preparations for the forthcoming assignments and will do our best to translate these preparations into solid performances,” he added.

Misbah, who last week had expressed the desire to build a team that can not only dominate opponents but can also fight its way through when they get behind in a game, said he was well placed to bring out the best of Sarfaraz considering they had worked together as Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper for a long time in Test cricket. “I want to congratulate Sarfaraz on his confirmation as Pakistan captain and Babar on his appointment as vice-captain. Both are one of the most talented and exceptionally gifted Pakistan cricketers and thoroughly deserve these assignments. Consistency backed up by good performance has been my yardstick for recommending Sarfaraz as captain. Furthermore, I think I am better placed to get the best out of Sarfaraz as I know him better than most of the cricketers as he has played most of his cricket under my captaincy. I have always been an admirer of his commitment and the energy he brings to the side.”

PCB chief Mani said that appointment of Babar as vice captain was part of his gradual development as a future captain and in line with our strategy of introducing a succession plan across the board so that there were no gaps. “I am hopeful the trio of Misbah, Sarfaraz and Babar will do well for Pakistan cricket.”