Sarfaraz Ahmed to be removed as Pakistan Team’s Test captain by PCB, says reports

Sarfaraz Ahmed to be removed as Pakistan Team’s Test captain by the Pakistan Cricket Board; Shan Masood to replace him as per reports

As per the reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed as Pakistan team’s Test captain.

According to the Pakistan news channel Geo News, the board has decided to hand over the responsibility to a new player, keeping in mind the upcoming ICC Test Championships commencing with the Ashes on August 1, 2019.

The reports further suggest that the board is making up their mind to designate the left-handed opening batsman Shan Masood, as their next leader in the longest format.

Sarfaraz had refused to resign from captaincy few days ago

Interestingly, the decision comes just a few days after Sarfaraz had stated that he wishes to continue captaining the Pakistan side, but the decision lies wholly on the board.

“It’s not that I’m saying I refuse to resign. All I’m saying is the decision rests with the PCB, the same way as the decision to appoint me captain was taken by them. I’m sure they’ll take the decision that’s best for Pakistan,” he told reporters earlier this month.

Sarfaraz has had a bad run of form in Tests off-late

Sarfaraz has captained his side in 13 Test matches so far, managing to emerge victorious in only four of them while losing eight.

His individual batting records too off-late, have not inspired confidence of the selectors. He has averaged a paltry 22 and 18.66 in the last two series as captain against New Zealand and Pakistan respectively.

He has in fact managed to score just a couple of half-centuries in the last ten innings he has played for Pakistan. Moreover, he was highly criticised for his decisions in the recently concluded 2019 World Cup, especially for batting way down the order, and coming in at a time when the match was already out of reach.

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