PCB decides to relieve Sarfaraz Ahmed of Pakistan Test captaincy

Sarfaraz Ahmed, the Pakistan skipper, has had to face a lot of criticism for his captaincy. There have been question marks on his prowess to lead the national team in all the three formats. He couldn’t lead the Men in Green to the semis in the 2019 World Cup and he was a recipient of severe backlash. Amidst the brickbats, a number of former cricketers have also backed the experienced player.

However, recently, it has been learned that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided in principle to relieve Sarfaraz of captaincy in Test cricket. The decision comes after the wicketkeeper was clear cut in saying that he doesn’t intend to quit as the skipper. The 32-year-old also left the matter in the hands of the country’s cricket board since it’s the appointing committee.

Decision of new skipper to be taken soon

As per reports in Geo News, the PCB wishes to appoint the new skipper before the commencement of the ICC Test Championship. The board’s cricket committee is expected to discuss the matter in details during its meeting on August 2 to be held in Lahore. Reports also reveal that the mantle of Test leadership may be handed over to the 29-year-old left-handed batsman Shan Masood.

Masood is the skipper of National Bank in Pakistan’s domestic cricket and has represented Pakistan in 15 Tests in which he has scored 797 runs at an average of 26.43. He last donned the whites in the Test series against South Africa where he churned out a couple of half-centuries.

Reports reveal that some people in the PCB have reservations over Shan Masood’s appointment, but the think tank has taken the decision in principle. Masood made his debut way back in 2013 versus the Proteas but hasn’t quite been able to cement his position in the team due to inconsistency.

As far as Sarfaraz is concerned, he has led Pakistan in 13 matches out of which he won four and lost eight. Pakistan is currently ranked seventh in ICC’s Test rankings and that depicts the tough times Sarfaraz has had. He averages 25.81 as a skipper, compared to his career average of 36.39.