Interesting quotes by former cricketers on Sarfaraz Ahmed's sacking as captain

Pakistan Cricket is at its absolute nadir. From making Misbah-ul-Haq a combo of head coach + Chief Selector + batting coach to now sacking as well as removing Sarfaraz Ahmed in a haste, following a 0-3 whitewash against Sri Lanka, the Pakistan Cricket Board has come under intense scrutiny from both fans as well as ex-cricketers.

While the fans staged a protest against the unceremonious removal of Sarfaraz in Karachi on Sunday (October 20), a plethora of former cricketer has on various platforms criticized the move.

PCB Should have groomed Babar Azam, feels Javed Miandad

Former World Cup-winning cricketer and ex-captain, Javed Miandad felt that the board should have groomed Babar Azam if they really wanted to make him the captain and that the burden of captaincy will affect his batting.

“Azhar’s appointment as Test captain is okay but if the Board wanted to appoint Babar as white-ball captain, they should have first groomed him as I fear the burden of T20 captaincy will affect his batting,” Miandad said as quoted by Dawn.

Former Test batsman and ex-chief selector Mohsin Khan said“He [Sarfraz] took Pakistan to number one in T20 cricket and he is a fighter. This is a decision taken in haste and it could also affect the career of Babar.”

Babar, a selfish cricketer! feels Rashid Latif

Former Pakistani wicket-keeper and captain was even more scathing in his criticism. According to Latif, the PCB erred in making Babar the captain, who he feels is a selfish cricketer, unlike his predecessor, Sarfaraz.

“He is a selfish player and we have seen this in international cricket and now in the national T20 championship. Sarfraz is not a selfish captain and sacrificed his position many times for the team. He did not deserve this treatment,” Rashid said.

Misbah and Waqar Younis never liked Sarfaraz, claimed Moin Khan

Another former wicketkeeper, Moin Khan was rather shocked by the PCB’s decision to sack Sarfaraz. Khan also claimed that Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis never liked Sarfaraz, and the fact that the duo was at the helm, the decision to remove Ahmed was on expected terms.

“He [Sarfraz] has shown himself to be a fine captain and yes he was struggling a bit for form but when a senior player is under pressure you have to encourage and back him, not dump him like this. He noted that Misbah and Waqar had never been fond of Sarfraz and with them in charge, this sacking was expected. Misbah and Waqar never liked Sarfraz. I am shocked that the PCB has removed Sarfraz from captaincy in T20I cricket. He has led Pakistan to 11 consecutive T20I series’ win and you can’t remove him due to few poor performances,” Moin said as quoted by Dawn.

Moin further opined that Misbah has been given too much power by the PCB, “I think making a single person too powerful won’t work for Pakistan’s cricket.”

Former Test pacer Aaqib Javed also felt that the PCB should have given more time to Sarfaraz as white-ball captain, “I don’t know from where these decisions are coming but they make no sense at all to me. Sarfraz should have been relieved as Test captain but the Board should have given him some time as captain of white-ball cricket.”

Ramiz Raja and Shoaib Akhtar back PCB’s decision to remove Sarfaraz

While a lot of former cricketers have come out in favor of Sarfaraz, the likes of Ramiz Raja and Shoaib Akhtar have hailed PCB’s decision. The cricketer-turned commentator, Raja feels that opting for Babar Azam is a bold move and that the board acted properly by investing in a young player.

“We were struggling in Test cricket, we did not reach semifinals of the World Cup. We lost to a Sri Lankan ‘B’ team in T20 cricket and his own form is on a decline. I think the Board acted properly by investing in a young player in the white-ball formats. If Babar develops into a good leader he can also become Test captain,” he said.

Former fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar felt that no one but Sarfaraz was to be blamed for the current predicament.

“I saw it coming for Sarfraz. Nobody else is to be blamed but him. Been telling him for two years to pull up his socks. The situation which has occurred is due to his own fault. It was not someone else’s fault. I also want to tell you that they will not even keep him in the team. I can guarantee that right now. They will not give him a chance in the team.” Shoaib Akhtar said on Youtube channel as quoted by Dawn.