Sports

PCB appoints Sarfraz Ahmed new T20I captain

Wicketkeeper-batsman says he is determined to justify his position as leader

Sports Desk April 05, 2016

PHOTO: AFP

Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed says it is an honour to be sworn in as the captain of the Pakistan T20I team.

"I am happy to have this opportunity and I am honored that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has trusted my ability to lead the country," Sarfarz told ESPNcricinfo. "Indeed, this is a challenging job but at the same time, it's the highest privilege in a cricketer's life, so I am determined to do my best to justify my position as captain. I didn't make any future plan, but I will sit down with the PCB and will talk about it in due course."

Shahid Afridi steps down from T20 captaincy

He further added: "The best thing about me, I believe, is my ability to make contributions for the team. I always try to play my role whatever it is — batting or wicketkeeping — regardless of the situation or the number I bat on. The more important thing about me is that I remain in my limit and don't talk much. It's my cricket that speaks, and this is what a captain should be doing - lead form the front."

Former T20I captain Shahid Afridi also enlisted Sarfraz's traits in his tweet deeming PCB's decision a good one.

Good decision to see @SarfarazA_54 leading PAK T-20 he is energetic, passionate and a fighter!
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 5, 2016

Congratulations to @SarfarazA_54 for becoming the captain of t20 cricket, very happy for u brother #BleedGreen #NewEra #pakistanzindabad
— Imad Wasim (@simadwasim) April 5, 2016

Congratulations @SarfarazA_54 for being appointed as Pakistan t20 captain.👏👏👏 best of luck brother 👍👍👍
— Azhar Ali (@AzharAli_) April 5, 2016

Congrats @SarfarazA_54 on ur appointment as T20 captain. Good wishes with u n prayers that u lead Pakistan to lots of success inn Shaa Allah
— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) April 5, 2016

Earlier on Tuesday, a PCB press release announced the appointment of Sarfraz as the captain of the Pakistan T20I team.

"Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarfraz Ahmed as the captain of Pakistan T20I team," said a PCB press release. "Sarfraz was appointed vice-captain of ODI and T20I teams last year. He takes over the captaincy of the shortest form of the game from Shahid Afridi whose term as captain came to an end after the 2016 ICC World T20."

Not sure how Pakistan will use Afridi after relinquishing captaincy, says Sangakkara

Sarfraz has an average of 29.10 in 21 T20I outings for Pakistan with a strike rate of 120.24. Moreover, he has scored two half-tons for Pakistan in T20Is.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan also wished luck to Sarfraz on his appointment.

"I spoke to Sarfraz this morning and conveyed to him that he was our natural choice for this position," Shaharyar was quoted as saying in the press release. "His appointment is open-ended. I wish him good luck in his new role."

Waqar Younis steps down as Pakistan head coach

Meanwhile, Pakistan will play their next T20I against England on September 7, 2016.

On Sunday, Afridi took to Twitter and announced that he is stepping away from captaincy but will continue as a player for the national T20 team.

“Today I wish to inform my fans in Pakistan and all over the world that I am relinquishing the captaincy of the T20 Pakistani team of my own volition,” said Afridi.

“I would also like to inform that InshaAllah I intend to continue to play the game for my country,” he said further, adding that, “For me it was a great honour to lead my country in all three formats of the game.”

COMMENTS (21)

Unknown | 8 years ago | Reply @Sam: In case of Afridi, he can neither speak English nor play cricket :D @Ali A language has nothing to do with your skills, I am pretty sure Leonardo di vinci wasnt an English speaker either, but Italians were not insecure like you.

feroze | 8 years ago | Reply They should make Aqib Javed the coach. I have been saying this for the past 3 years because I think he will turn out to be a brilliant appointment.

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NKAli | 8 years ago | Reply @ali: Good question! Hahaaah! My deepest sympathies and congratulations to Sarafaraz Ahmed. He is a good man and player but will see the worst controversies and conspiracies, in and out of the dressing room. Pray he does not lose his focus and remains as tenacious and resilient as a tiger. Salams

Waqas | 8 years ago | Reply PCB should ban all players over 35 years of age.

Positive Thinker | 8 years ago | Reply Sarfaraz is a brave guy. Hoping that he does well as a captain inshaa Allah.

Sam | 8 years ago | Reply @ali: What Sarfaraz does with Bat and Gloves is more important then his language skills. Besides, you can learn how to speak English but not how to play proper Cricket - case in point Afridi :)

Umar | 8 years ago | Reply Sarfaraz Ahmed is an avg cricketer and how good a captain he'll turn out to be only time'll tell. We wish him good luck. He doesnt seem like an outstanding keeper and is useful but limited ability lower order batsman. It won't be long before "Sarfaraz dhoka denay lagay ga", not at all by design but a result of us putting too much hope in someone who can never deliver on it. I feel at this time the only natural choice was Hafeez, who is not just the best performing Pakistani batsmen but also a snr in the team and as far as i can recall the only Pakistani cricketer who was scrupulous enough to quietly step down as captain, instead of playing the usual mudslinging round.

US CENTCOM | 8 years ago | Reply Sarfraz Ahmed has been consistent and he in playing in all three formats. I think most would agree that he is the right choice at the moment. I really hope he proves successful as a captain. Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM

karachi Wally | 8 years ago | Reply @ali: What a stupid question to ask!!

Khalid rashid | 8 years ago | Reply Congratulations to sarfraz for becoming capt of T20 team .he will do well as a cricketer no doubt but he should acquire skills other than playing game only.he has time till sept this year ,in which he should groom himself as a vibrant ,out going and conversationist.it needs training in a good international institute .most of our cricketers lack these qualities.look at Indians ,they are same age but how well they can converse and give their point of view where ever needed.knowing working English is a must.

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply As expected..... another ' white wash ' job by the PCB......nothing will change.

Unknown | 8 years ago | Reply Its time to kick out Afridi, Malik, Hafeez and Akmalssssss from team so sarfraz can rebuild the team without any politics and grouping

jahangir gani | 8 years ago | Reply it is a very good choice. but this board will destroy Pakistan cricket.hope pm will change this board and will bring some good faces to improve cricket

Farha | 8 years ago | Reply At least some good news coming out from PCB. Hope some useless manager will fire soon.

ali | 8 years ago | Reply Can he speak english

Anjum Arshi | 8 years ago | Reply I am sure there would be a natural choice for replacement of Shaharyar Khan also. Would be great help to cricket if that happens.

shumayel | 8 years ago | Reply Please fire Sami, Irfan, Akmal, and Wahab riaz. Bring in Junaid khan, sohail khan, salman butt, fawad alam, and haris sohail. Yasir shah is needed full time from now on. Make viv rich new coach.

Naveed Iqbal | 8 years ago | Reply Ramiz Raja knows cricket better than you and he still believe that Pakistan needs Afridi.

S!D | 8 years ago | Reply Good selection but when will they restructure! Cosmetic surgery isn't going to help.

Adeel Abbas | 8 years ago | Reply I will continue to play with the NATION as I am too greedy and even without any performance i must keep playing forever. What a shame.

Hamdani | 8 years ago | Reply He was the obvious choice. HE should maintain his performance and not let this responsibility affect his game. Azhar Ali does not have a good record going as a captain. He should be tested thoroughly in this format before being handed over ODI leadership also. He has captianed U19 to a WC win. All the best for him.

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