Hafeez should be T20 captain & ODI, Test Vice Captain: Sarfraz Nawaz

The board has acquired the former fast bowler’s services to supervise a camp of fourteen fast bowlers. PHOTO: EXPRESS/SHAHID BASHEER

LAHORE: Former test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to appoint all- rounder Mohammad Hafeez as the new captain for the national Twenty20 team while present skipper, Misbah ul Haq can continue to lead the side in one-day internationals (ODIs) and test matches.    

Talking to the media at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, he said, “it is the right time to groom a captain for T20 and I think Hafeez is the right choice, in my opinion Misbah ul Haq’s leadership should be limited to ODI and test matches.”

The board has acquired the former fast bowler’s services to supervise a camp of fourteen fast bowlers to identify future prospects for the national team.

He said it was imperative to have a young captain for the T20 format which requires fresh legs and a bold approach to tackle the opponent’s aggression.

“Hafeez should also be appointed as the vice captain of ODI and test teams because it would enhance his confidence and prepare him for leadership,” he added, “change always takes place and if it is carried out at the right time, it helps in developing the team and a captain.”

Responding to a question, he said all rounder Shahid Afridi was not in the run for captaincy as the player had announced earlier that he was not interested to lead the side.

“Afridi should concentrate on improving his performance and confining himself to T20 cricket only, ” he said.

Commenting on the camp set up for fast bowlers, the former bowler who had discovered “reverse swing,” said that the camp has been established to give an idea of the available talent to the team’s foreign coach, Dav Whatmore and the selection committee head Iqbal Qasim.

“I want to serve Pakistan cricket and that is why I am training these bowlers. I think it is a very productive effort which will serve Pakistan cricket in the years to come,” said Sarfraz Nawaz.

On rumors about a rift between Whatmore and Qasim, he said, “I think both of them enjoy an exemplary relationship and are working for Pakistan cricket.”

Talking about players involvement in spot fixing, Nawaz said that convicted Pakistani cricketers who have completed their sentence should not be given any role in cricket in the future and an investigation should be launched against them to curb the menace of spot fixing.

“They have brought a bad name for the country and they should be kept away from cricket in the larger interest of Pakistan cricket in the future.”