Kevin Pietersen backs Sarfraz Ahmed to lead Pakistan in 2019 World Cup

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has heaped praises on Sarfraz Ahmed who is the skipper of Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The third edition of the tournament is currently being played in Sharjah after the first phase took place in Dubai. Gladiators, the runners-up of the last two editions, has been led by Sarfraz who is also the national captain. However, Pietersen feels that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should announce him as the captain of the team for the upcoming World Cup in 2019.

Sarfraz has changed the dynamics of Pakistan cricket ever since he has taken over the reins of the team from Azhar Ali. The Men in Green triumphed in the Champions Trophy which took place in England and the marquee event of the limited overs format will be played in the same country next year.

He has got a very good cricketing brain

Kevin Pietersen, at the post-match presser, spoke highly of the wicketkeeper-batsman of Pakistan. He also urged PCB to announce him as the skipper for 2019 World Cup and back his leadership qualities. “All the players like him (Sarfraz), he has got a very good cricket brain. The World Cup is only 12 months away so I think that it will be a very clever decision for the Pakistan board to say to Sarfraz that you are leading our team to the World Cup,” he said.

The 37-year-old also added that there is no point in changing the skipper of the team ahead of the huge event which will also infuse doubts in the minds of the players. “If you replace your captain after a captain does as well as Sarfraz does, the new person that comes in thinks that he can be replaced too before the next World Cup. From my experience, you back your captain, because if you back your captain your players feel safe too,” Pietersen concluded further.

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