Time for PCB to admit mistake made in appointing Azhar: Javed Miandad

Pakistan lost to England in the 3rd ODI in a humiliating fashion as the visitors lost the match by 169 runs to surrender the series 3-0. Now, the remaining 2 ODIs is all about Pakistan playing to avoid a whitewash and to salvage some pride.

Former Test captain Javed Miandad lashed out at the PCB, for appointing Azhar Ali as the ODI skipper and he urged them to admit the mistake. “It is time for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to admit they made a mistake in appointing Azhar as the ODI captain and appoint someone else for the series against the West Indies next month,” Miandad said.

“It made no sense to appoint Azhar last year even though he was not in the ODI team since 2013,” he added.

England recorded the highest team total (444/3) in cricket history in the 3rd ODI, whereas Pakistan was bundled out for just 275. Miandad feels that the ODI cricket has changed over the years and Pakistan is still not adapted to the change. “One-day cricket has changed a lot since we played and today I think England gave us an abject lesson in how to play 50 overs. We were outclassed and humiliated,” he said.

Also Read – List of records created in the 3rd ODI between England and Pakistan

Right time to give responsibility to Sarfaraz: Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan pace bowler turned commentator, Wasim Akram believes that this is the right time for Pakistan to give the captaincy responsibility to Sarfraz Ahmed, who has been in good nick for quite some time now. “I think it is the right time to give responsibility to Sarfaraz and make him ODI captain. He is a performer under pressure and he can bring about a change,” Wasim said on ‘Geo News’ channel.

Criticism might affect Azhar Ali’s Test cricket performance: Ramiz Raja

Former Pakistan cricketer, Ramiz Raja is worried about all the pressure and criticism affecting Azhar Ali’s performances in the longest format of the game. He has been quite good in the Test format but failed to deliver the goods in limited-overs format in the recent past. Azhar had already been criticized for his slow scoring rate as well.

“I am just concerned that eventually all this pressure and criticism might affect his Test cricket performances,” he expressed his concern.

Also Read – England v Pakistan, 3rd ODI: Pakistan Player Ratings

Big challenge for Mickey Arthur to replicate Test success: Mohsin Khan

Former Test opener and head coach Mohsin Khan said that it will be a big challenge for the newly appointed Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur to replicate his success in the Test format to the limited-overs format.

“Where are we going in this format. It is going to be a big challenge now for coach Mickey Arthur to replicate his success of the Test matches into limited over cricket,” he said.

“It is going to be a tough test for him. While we have a settled Test side and are number one, it is exactly the opposite in ODI cricket,” he lamented.

A source in the PCB told PTI that a meeting will be held before the team leaves to UAE for the series against West Indies.

“The meeting will be held once the two top PCB officials, Shaharyar Khan and Najam Sethi also return from England. But indications are that the board might now be forced into dropping its support for Azhar,” the source said.