Azhar Ali steps down as Pakistan ODI captain

Succumbing to ever growing pressure from all directions Pakistan One-Day International skipper Azhar Ali has decided to quit from the role of captain of the ODI team. There were reports all this while ever since they lost the away series in Australia 4-1 that T20I skipper Sarfraz Ahmed will take over the responsibility in the 50 overs format as well. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan today confirmed the shift in leadership.

Azhar reached out to the PCB chief and conveyed it to him that the burden of leading the team has adversely affected his contribution with the bat and that he wishes to give it away. “Azhar told me that captaincy was affecting his batting form, and he has therefore stepped down from the leadership role,” Shaharyar was quoted by Wisden India on Thursday (February 9).

He also added that the board offered T20I skipper Sarfraz to take over the role and he was quite willing to man the additional responsibility for the team. “Sarfraz Ahmed will take over as the captain of the ODI and Twenty20 International teams. We offered him both the roles, and he was happy to accept them.” Khan said.

It was not just Azhar, Test skipper, 42-year-old Misbah-ul-Haq has also been under the scanner and is expected to quit as well after Pakistan’s dismal show on tours of New Zealand and Australia where they lost both the series’. More than that the team failed to cash in on moments and gave away the momentum after having things pretty much in control.

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Misbah had earlier said that he will take a call after playing the Pakistan Super League (PSL). “Misbah-ul-Haq has asked for a little more time to reconsider his future,” Shaharyar observed. “We will give him that time and wait for him to make his decision.”