Pakistani skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed will probably lose his captaincy in at least one format of the game. Although any declaration by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not been formally issued, it is anticipated that its Cricket Committee meeting in Lahore on August 2, 2019, will take some decisions including split captaincy for the Pakistan team.
After Pakistan’s unimpressive show in the latest World Cup, the future of Sarfaraz as a captain was hanging in balance. Many accused him of being unfit, and during the matches, he was even seen yawning which later turned into a meme on social media.
Pakistan was one of the favorites in winning the World Cup, but it ended third in the table and failed to finish in the semi-finals. Although Pakistan won the 2017 Champions Trophy in England under Sarfaraz, he was unable to lead the squad this time towards more wins.
Sarfaraz was supported by the chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq, whose term as chief selector ends formally on Wednesday. Pakistan will have a new Test team captain and also a one-day and T20 team captain, according to sources.
Discussions are also on giving Pakistan’s coach Mickey Arthur an extension or not. The commission has already chosen to extend its contract until next year’s ICC T20 World Cup. If Arthur is retained as a coach then the captaincy for at least one of the formats can be provided to Sarfaraz.
Plans are also being made to appoint Azhar Ali as the captain of the Test squad and to maintain Sarfaraz as captain for ODI and T20 formats. This is basically because the PCB wishes to demonstrate that they think in captaincy continuity, particularly in the light of the upcoming T20 World Cup. There’s a lot of support for consistent batsman Babar Azam to be regarded for captaincy as well, but he’ll probably be made vice-captain for all three formats with an eye to groom him as a future captain.
To become a skipper, many other names have emerged too. Shan Mashood, who I leading the National Bank squad in domestic cricket, is another name that has emerged. The name of Imad Wasim also emerging. If Sarfaraz does not get the nod to proceed as captain, Arthur is anticipated to return to Wasim. Meanwhile, PCB Managing Director Wasim Khan said the successor to Inzamam will shortly be announced as the chief selector.
In October, Pakistan will be playing against Sri Lanka in a two-match test series and it could be a new captain leading the Pakistan team. Efforts are on to play the series in Sri Lanka, but if the Sri Lankan officials ‘ security examination fails, the series will take place in the UAE. England safety representatives are also visiting Pakistan to explore opportunities for the series to be staged there.