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Sarfaraz Ahmed Sacked as Captain, Azhar Ali Takes Over in Tests, Babar Azam in T20Is

Sarfaraz Ahmed has been sacked as Pakistan captain in Tests and T20Is, according to the announcement made by Pakistan Cricket board on Friday. However, it has not been decided or announced yet whether Sarfaraz will be leading the ODI squad or not.

Azhar Ali has been appointed national cricket team captain for Pakistan’s World Test Championship matches in the 2019-20 season. While Babar Azam has been named the captain of the No 1 ranked T20I side until next year’s ICC T20 World Cup Australia.

Not only has Sarfaraz lost his captaincy, but due to the “drop-in his overall form”, he has been dropped from both the Test and T20I sides.

Reportedly, the decision on vice-captaincy will be made closer to the series, whilst captaincy for the ODIs will be finalized in due course as the national team’s next assignment is scheduled from 4-9 July 2020 against the Netherlands in Amstelveen.

Read More : Aaqib Javed hits out at Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed after miserable T20 series against SL

The outgoing skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed said he was honoured to lead the side at the highest level. He also wished the new captains well for future assignments.

“It has been an honour to lead Pakistan at the highest level. I want to thank all my colleagues, coaches, and selectors who have helped me in this journey. My good wishes are with Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, and the Pakistan cricket team, and I hope they will continue to grow stronger and stronger,” Sarfaraz said.

Azhar Ali has been the main support of Pakistan’s batting line-up since making his debut against Australia at Lord’s in 2010. The 34-year-old is regarded as Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan’s wonder boy and has scored 5,669 runs with 15 centuries and 31 half-centuries in 73 Tests.

In the ongoing four-day first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Ali proved himself the second most successful batsman with 388 runs in four matches as his side Central Punjab has scored two wins.

After being appointed test Captain Azhar Ali said, “There is no bigger honour than to captain the Pakistan national cricket team in the pinnacle format of the game. I feel humbled, excited and privileged, and with the support of the team, I 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 endeavors to collectively achieve our World Test Championship objectives and beyond, ” the batsman said.

He added, “These are exciting times in Pakistan cricket with new team management. As a captain, I feel comfortable that there will be a number of knowledgeable people in the hut who I can rely upon advice and guidance.”

Babar Azam

Babar Azam, also known as the run machine, is the No.1 ranked batsman in T20Is, has previously captained Pakistan in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2012. He was also the vice-captain in the recently-concluded series against Sri Lanka and is presently captaining Central Punjab in the National T20 Cup where he scored a 59-ball 102 on an opening day against Sindh.

On his appointment as the T20Is captain, Babar Azam said: “To be named the captain of the No.1 ranked side in the world is the biggest thing that has happened to my career to date. 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”.

“Sarfaraz Ahmed has led the side in the shortest format by example and it is my responsibility to take forward his accomplishments so that we remain a consistent, attractive and powerful side”, Babar Azam further added.

PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani, who has approved the new appointments, said: “I want to congratulate Azhar Ali and Babar Azam on their elevations to the most coveted and prestigious jobs in cricket. It is a reward for their continued hard work in strive for excellence and I am sure they, like their predecessors, will make the country proud of their performance, leadership, and sportsmanship.

“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.”

Saman Siddiqui

I am a freelance journalist, holding a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication and an MS in Peace and Conflict Studies, associated with the electronic media industry since 2006 in various capacities. Here at OyeYeah, I cover a range of genres, from journalism to fiction to fashion, including reviews, and fact findings. 

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