Shan, Sarfaraz likely to lead Pakistan as PCB eyes split captaincy:
To change the fortune of the national team, the Pakistan Cricket Board is eyeing to have three different captains for three different formats. According to reports, a suggestion is under consideration to remove Babar Azam from Test and ODI captaincy to manage his workload. Sarfaraz Ahmed will likely lead the Test team while Shan Masood may replace Babar Azam as ODI captain.
After a barren red-ball season at home, where Pakistan failed to win a single Test last year, some changes are expected to be made at a high level. Babar Azam is reportedly in danger of losing his position as Test and ODI captain. The phenomenal right-handed batter will continue to lead the team in the T20 format as Pakistan recently played the T20 world cup 2022 final under his captaincy.
After a spectacular comeback in the Test series against the Kiwis at home, Sarfaraz is likely to replace Babar Azam as the Test captain. In the most recent series against New Zealand, the former captain Sarfaraz made his comeback after four years to Pakistan’s playing xi. He received the player of the series title and scored 335 runs in two Test match serirs. In addition, his hundred on the fifth day of the Test match, which helped Pakistan from losing another humiliating home series, garnered headlines.
Sarfaraz also had the chance to lead the team as captain during the first Test against the kiwis when Babar Azam was not on the field due to flu. Sarfaraz was seen as a proactive captain throughout his two hours captaincy stint. His fielding and bowling changes helped Pakistan to get two wickets.
Shan Masood, returning to the ODI team after three years, was earlier named Pakistan vice-captain in the absence of injured Shadab Khan for New Zealand series. However, his selection in the Playing XI will be subject to improvement in his performance.
According to sources, senior players are unhappy with Shan Masood’s appointment as vice-captain. It is reported that Babar Azam and the newly appointed chief selector Shahid Afridi were not consulted regarding this decision.
After not winning a single Test in the home series against Australia, England and New Zealand last year, Babar Azam’s captaincy has come under scrutiny. It looks like Sarfaraz will take over again. However, Babar Azam has a stellar track record as the captain of the white-ball team. The management committee of the PCB recognizes the workload burden on the right hander, which is why they are considering naming separate captains for the three formats.
Over the years, quick changes in the team have only helped Pakistan in some aspects. Sudden changes will harm the stability that this team has attained under Babar. Although Pakistan has yet to taste the glory under Babar, he has guided Pakistan well across all formats. Pakistan played the semifinal and final of the last two T20 consecutive world cups and reached the Asia cup 2022 final under Babar.
