5 contenders who can replace Misbah-ul-Haq as Pakistan’s ODI captain

5 contenders who can replace Misbah-ul-Haq as Pakistan’s ODI captain: Pakistan got knocked out of the World Cup 2015 after losing the quarter final against Australia, this also meant an end of Misbah-ul-Haq’s ODI career. Pakistan will now have to find a new replacement for him not just as the most dependable batsman in middle order, but also a new ODI captain.

Below are the 5 contenders who can succeed Misbah as Pakistan’s ODI captain.

5. Wahab Riaz

Wahab Riaz is a long shot for captaining Pakistan. But if he shows the intensity and courage he showed against the Australians in the quarter final, it will take little time for the selectors to consider him for captaining Pakistan. He may bring in some good ideas and it will not be a bad idea to give him a go as a captain against weaker opponents like Bangladesh, Ireland etc if they play against Pakistan any time soon.

Also that Pakistan have a rich history of fast bowlers turning out to be great leaders.

4. Sarfraz Ahmed

Another player who shone brightly in the 3 matches he got to play in the World Cup 2015. Sarfraz scored a fifty and a hundred, took 6 catches in one match and got 2 Man of the match awards. It’s only a tragedy that Pakistan decided to play him so late in the tournament. Sarfraz can make a good choice as Pakistani captain; he has shown that with his batting and keeping, that he is better than the Akmal brothers who have been given so many chances. The responsibility of captaincy may make him a better batsman. But selectors need to show trust and confidence in him.

3. Mohammad Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez has had experience in leading Pakistan in ODIs and T20Is. A wonderful batsman and a good part-time bowler, Hafeez got injured before the World Cup 2015 even began and has been working on getting back into the team. Now one of the most senior players in the team, Pakistani selectors may go with him as the captain since he has led Pakistan before. He also has the image of being a serious and capable player which goes in his favour.

2. Umar Akmal

Umar Akmal was burdened with the responsibility of keeping wickets in this World Cup 2015, which in turn affected his batting. He could only play one innings of significance and that against West Indies. His keeping was also below par, but the team management’s strategy to continue making him keep was baffling to say the least. But with his talent and ability, he is also one of the front-runners to become Pakistan captain. Akmal is one of the mainstays of Pakistani batting, is brilliant at what he does and is young to be around for Pakistan for a long time. A better bet for captain than many other contender.

1. Ahmed Shehzad

Ahmed Shehzad is talented, impressive and explosive at batting and fielding. But his callousness and insincere attitude towards his batting has been the bane of his career. He tends to throw away his wicket trying to dominate the bowling from the word go. His technical failures like no feet movement, relying solely on hand eye coordination and playing shots away from his body has resulted in him getting out after setting himself. Pakistani selectors might give him the ODI captaincy because of his passion for Pakistan and the responsibility might make him put a better tag on his wicket and he would refrain from throwing it away. He is young and has cemented his place in the side making him a strong contender to become the next ODI captain of Pakistan.

Quick Link : The reason behind Rubel Hossain’s loud celebration on getting Virat Kohli out in India vs Bangladesh: World Cup 2015

*All stats updated till 20 March 2015.