LAHORE (Staff Report) – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan officially announced on Monday the appointment of Azhar Ali as the captain of the ODI team and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed as his deputy.
“In view of his character, leadership and team spirit, the decision has been made to make Azhar new ODI captain,” the PCB chairman said while addressing a press conference here in Lahore.
The PCB chief added he has made the decision after weighing both positive and negative aspects of making Azhar the captain.
Azhar has scored 452 runs in 14 innings at an average of 41.09 in the 50-over format and was tipped to be the new captain by outgoing skipper Misbahul Haq and head coach Waqar Younis. However, he has not played an ODI in more than two years.
Misbahul Haq will remain to be the captain in Test format of the game while Shahid Afridi will lead the T20 side. Wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed has been named vice-captain in all formats ODIs, T20s and Test cricket.
Haroon Rasheed will be the Chief Selector, the PCB chairman further announced.
A high-level meeting of the board on Saturday discussed potential candidates to take over as ODI captain after Misbah-ul-Haq’s retirement from the limited-overs squad at the end of Pakistan’s topsy-turvy World Cup campaign. Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, Test batsman Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez and Wahab Riaz’s were being touted as possible contenders for the spot.
But Azhar emerged as the unanimous choice after thorough consultations with former players, the selection committee and outgoing captain Misbah-ul-Haq and coach Waqar Younis, Shahryar said at a press conference.
“We all know Azhar has not been part of the ODI squad for the last couple of years but he showed his potential during the recent Pentangular Cup. Azhar is a man with great character and is a level-headed individual,” Shahryar said.
