Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed set to retain ODI, T20 captaincy for upcoming series

Karachi: Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed was on Friday retained as Pakistan’s ODI and T20 International captain ahead of the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka. [caption id=“attachment_5969451” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File image of Sarfaraz Ahmed. AP[/caption] Pakistan’s new head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq told the media in Lahore on Friday that he was hopeful of working well with Sarfaraz to take the team forward. Misbah also announced that batsman Babar Zaman would be the vice-captain of the national team in the two shorter formats. Asked whether Sarfaraz had been appointed just for the series against Sri Lanka or on long-term basis like in the past, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ehsan Mani said one should not read too much into it and speculate. “We have a new management of the team and we are looking now at finding the right balance,” Mani said. Mani also insisted that Misbah and the Board’s Chief Executive Wasim Khan were already looking into the issue of Test captaincy. “Since we don’t have Test matches immediately we have announced captain for white-ball cricket and due process will be followed for naming the captain of red-ball cricket and Misbah and Wasim will make their recommendations to me,” he said. Sarfaraz has been Pakistan’s captain in all three formats since last two years and has led the team in white-ball cricket since 2017, also winning the Champions Trophy. Asked about Sarfaraz’s performances, Misbah said, “Overall if we assess Sarfaraz’s performances I still believe the team has done well. He has led the national under-19 team and now senior team in last three years, I think we are doing the right thing. “Our T20 performances have been outstanding but in ODI we have been up and down and we need to be more consistent. But we can’t just blame the captain or one individual, that is wrong. When your main players are out of form and don’t perform, the team can’t win. In cricket 11 players have to play and perform.” Misbah made the point that his main job would be to support the captain in decision making and help him reduce the mistakes. “I have been captain and sometimes as a captain, you need to be pushed as you tend to underestimate yourself and forget your role as a player in the team. That is the area I will work with him and ensure he does not underutilize himself and does perform. If he performs it will help the team,” he said. Misbah said he was not worried about the criticism over his appointment as head coach and chief selector. “I just think a person has to just focus on his job because if I perform well or bad it will become clear in front of everyone.” Mani said that the PCB has decided about the team manager and would announce the name of the person in the next two days.