Sarfraz Ahmed Could Face Axe; PCB Undecided on 2019 World Cup Skipper

May 29, 2019 at 7:24 PM

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Sarfraz Ahmed Could Face Axe; PCB Undecided on 2019 World Cup Skipper

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed’s captaincy role is hanging by a thread. The latest development doesn’t serve the middle-order batsman much with a promise while being at the helm of affairs. According to the spokesperson for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the things would be clear whether Sarfraz would be able to continue as a captain or not for the 2019 World Cup, following the culmination of the fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). In September 2017, Sarfraz donned the captain’s hat across formats.

The representative added by contemporary strategy, PCB will pick a captain on ‘series-to-series’ basis. With Sarfraz’s suspension taking PCB by surprise, the spokesperson added the Board has never revealed the captaincy period of him.

“We never revealed the length of Sarfraz Ahmed’s tenure. We never said whether he was going to stay [as a captain] for one or two years. The PCB appoints captain on a series to series basis. And, as such, appointment for the series post PSL will be made in due course,” the PCB spokesperson told Cricbuzz.

Sarfraz Ahmed’s racist remark lands him in more trouble:

The disclosure has surprised one and all. Earlier, the newly-appointed PCB chairman Ehsan Mani, who replaced Najam Sethi, in his briefing categorically maintained Sarfraz would continue as a leader until the 2019 World Cup for Pakistan.

Sarfraz Ahmed, PCB, 2019 World Cup, Andile Phelukwayo
Andile Phelukwayo finely took the Proteas home in 2nd ODI. (Photo by Steve Haag/Getty Images)

Earlier, Sarfraz was banned for four matches by world governing cricket body International Cricket Council (ICC). The verdict came following his racist remarks on the Proteas Andile Phelukwayo during the second ODI.

However, the ban was revealed during the toss time of the third ODI between hosts South Africa and Pakistan when Shoaib Malik went to the middle for the toss.

Concurrently, the ongoing series between Proteas and Men in Green is tied at 2-2.  Malik has led Pakistan well which eventually saw Pakistan winning the game by fourth ODI comprehensively by eight wickets.

Sarfraz Ahmed, PCB, 2019 World Cup, Andile Phelukwayo
Sarfraz Ahmed has often heaped praise on senior campaigner Shoaib Malik. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Sarfraz Ahmed or Shoaib Malik for the 2019 World Cup:

Also, many opined Malik should lead Pakistan for the ICC’s ODI showpiece in England and Wales.

The sources revealed to Sportzwiki that Sarfraz might face the axe as a skipper. Also, his batting record has also turned out to be unpleasing to some extent. However, the highlight under his leadership saw Pakistan being ranked No.1 in the ICC T20I team rankings.

Sarfraz also led Pakistan to the glory by clinching the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy against arch-rivals India at The Oval. But thereafter, has been under fire for the miserable run including the 2018 Asia Cup campaign. It further saw the Test series loss against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates. They lost Test series 3-0 in South Africa.

The 31-year-old Sarfraz has also faced the criticism for his on-field strategy in the recent past.

Interestingly, before the quadrennial event, Pakistan will take on Australia in the five-match ODI series. The decision would serve as a headache for the senior selection committee presided by Inzamam-Ul-Haq in a nutshell.

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