PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani to take a call on Sarfraz Ahmed's future as captain

Newly appointed PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani will take a call on Sarfraz Ahmed’s future as captain of Pakistan after taking into account the cricket committee’s recommendations. Mani’s statement regarding Sarfraz’s captaincy came after Mohsin Khan, the chairman of the PCB committee, had suggested that Sarfraz Ahmed be relieved of Test captaincy. The skipper was subject to a lot of criticism especially after his performances in the Test series in England, and also after Pakistan were unable to win the first Test against Australia, despite having the hosts on the ropes.

The PCB chairman was addressing the media after the final of the Quaid-e-Azam One Day Cup 2018 in Lahore when the topic of the Pakistan Test captaincy was brought up. Earlier, Mani said that he has full faith in Ahmed as the Pakistan captain across all formats. But Mohsin Khan maintained that if Sarfraz is relieved of Test captaincy, he will have the opportunity to concentrate on the limited overs formats, especially with the World Cup less than 7 months away.

Speaking to Hum News on Tuesday, Mohsin Khan had said, “I have said it before and I will say it now too. With Sarfraz I was saying you got a new guy in, don’t put the burden of three formats on him. It will take such a physical load on him, T20s, ODIs and then Tests if he is captain he will not get any mental relaxation. I had said make him T20 and ODI captain and in Tests, put in a senior player for a year, year-and-a-half which will give him (Sarfraz) time, allow him to relax and groom himself as a leader, to get some confidence.”

A remarkable turnaround for Sarfraz and for Pakistan

He also added that Sarfraz’s body language was down following Pakistan’s dismal performance in the Asia Cup, despite going in as favourites to lift the trophy. The skipper himself admitted that there were lots of junctures during Pakistan’s matches where he should have marshalled his troops better. He also suffered humiliating defeats against arch-rivals India twice inside three days during the Asia Cup.

However, things have turned around for the Pakistan skipper after he led his side to a Test series victory as well as a rare whitewash in the T20Is over an inexperienced Australian side. He followed it up with registering Pakistan’s 11th straight series victory by defeating New Zealand in the 3-match T20I series.

Khan added that the final decision on whether Sarfraz will be relieved of Test captaincy will be made by PCB chairman Ehsan Mani, saying, “I have spoken to Ehsan Mani, the final decision will, of course, be his but I will give him the suggestion. Whatever suggestions I give, it will not be out of personal interest. I will only suggest those things that will help make Pakistan better on or off the field.”

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