If you have been following Pakistan cricket you would know how our dear captain has been performing. Not very convincing. Now, after the recent events of his bad performance, some action was being expected from PCB. People were demanding for Sarfaraz to be stripped of Captaincy.
It wasn’t only because of his captaincy, but his overall performance wasn’t up to the mark. In recent Pakistan vs Sri Lanka series Sarfaraz had attained a very low score. Almost embarrassing. It was the point when some rumors spread that PCB will most likely strip Sarafaraz off captaincy.
Then after being asked some harsh questions Sarfaraz came under pressure. And the news went out that he has stepped down from the captaincy of Sindh in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. So, on the match of Sunday Asad Ali was seen leading the team of Sindh and winning the match.
Sarfaraz Stripped Of Captaincy
But PCB was still positive that Sarafaraz needs to be stripped of captaincy from all formats. Because Misbah ul Haq didn’t seem pleased with the half-hearted efforts of Sarfaraz during training. He was behaving in a very unprofessional manner. And so it happened. Sarfaraz was stripped of the captaincy for Test, T20I, and ODI.
Not just this, he has also been dropped from the upcoming Australian tour. There the rest of the team will be playing three T20I matches and two Test matches.
T20I matches reign is offered to Babar Azam for the 2020 ICC T20 World Cup in Australia. However, the Test matches for World Championship will be lead by Azhar Ali.
Anyhow, the captain for the ODI will be decided later. Since the next ODI series is scheduled to happen next year. Meanwhile, Mohammad Hafeez is under consideration to take the role.
Azhar And Babar Take Honor And Delight In Their New Roles
Therefore, Azhar Ali has expressed honor on being offered the captaincy. Also that he feels humbled, excited and privileged.
Azhar Ali said: "There's no bigger honour than to captain Pakistan in the pinnacle format of the game. I feel humbled, excited & privileged & with the support of the team, look forward to justifying the faith that's been entrusted upon me for the World Test Championship" #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 18, 2019
Babar Azam on being given the leadership of the team shared how delighted he was about the natural progression.
Babar Azam "To be named captain of the No.1 ranked side is the biggest thing that's happened to my career to date. I'm ready for this challenge & also willing to learn more. I feel it's been a natural progression for me & I'm delighted PCB's put faith in my capabilities" #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 18, 2019
Ehsan Mani the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board revealed that the way Sarfaraz had lost confidence in his play and his form was visible to every eye. So Sarfaraz has been stripped of captaincy to regain his form.
Ehsan Mani "Sarfaraz's loss in form and confidence is visible and, in the best interest of the team, it has been decided to leave him out and provide him the opportunity to reflect and regroup himself and try to reclaim his form away from international cricket" #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) October 18, 2019
However, Sarfaraz said farewell to his role of captaincy by extending best wishes to the new captains.
In a statement released by PCB, Sarfaraz said, “I wish the best for both Azhar and Babar in their new endeavors and I must thank my coaches, fellow players and the selectors for having supported me a lot in my tenure as captain.”
The decision to get Safaraz stripped of Captaincy has been taken 12 months prior to the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Despite the fact that Sarfaraz had won team Pakistan a T20 World Cup in 2017, he has not been in the right form recently. So, PCB probably took this decision for the best. For the improvement of Sarfaraz and for the team. Because keeping him in the team was becoming a threat to the team’s performance.
As soon as he improves, PCB will welcome him back in the team with open arms.
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