Sarfaraz Ahmed sacked as Pakistan skipper from all the formats

Sarfaraz Ahmed has been sacked as the skipper of the Pakistan national cricket team from all the formats as per reports in Cricket Pakistan. The 32-year-old has been under the pump for a significant amount of time. Recently, the Men in Green lost the three-match T20I series versus Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore after which the pressure increased on the keeper from Karachi.

Pakistan, being ICC’s number-one ranked T20I team, was expected to roll over the visiting Lankan team, who were devoid of some of their key stars. However, the home team slumped to a shambolic series whitewash and were found wanting every time while chasing down targets. Sarfaraz’s own performance in all departments wasn’t up to the mark by any stretch of the imagination.

PCB runs out of patience with Sarfaraz Ahmed

Sarfaraz had failed even in the 2019 World Cup where Pakistan couldn’t progress beyond the league stages. After the defeat at the hands of Dasun Shanaka’s Lanka, reports did the rounds that Sarfaraz may lose the captaincy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) persisted with him following the World Cup debacle, but they have eventually run out of patience with an under-performing Sarfaraz.

Misbah-ul-Haq, the head coach-cum-selector, who took over after the mega event, wasn’t happy with Sarfaraz by any means. It was learned that he was unhappy with Sarfaraz’s approach of shying away from responsibilities in the hour of need. It was also known that Misbah had a chat with the PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan and expressed his displeasure over the wicket-keeper.

Meanwhile, reports regarding who should be the next Pakistan skipper did the rounds. There were talks over the very experienced Mohammad Hafeez becoming the limited-overs skipper with Azhar Ali taking up the mantle as the Test skipper. Such has been the furor over Sarfaraz that a local journalist lashed out at him in a press conference during the ongoing National T20 Cup.

The Lankan series drubbing has undoubtedly rung the alarm bells in the Pakistan camp. Their next assignment is the tour of Australia where the team will play three T20Is and a couple of Tests, starting Sunday, November 3. Sarfaraz has also been dropped from the side ahead of the all-important tour. From now, it remains to be seen what lies ahead of Sarfaraz in the future.

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