PCB appoints Misbah as Test captain

Misbahul Haq is appointed captain for test series against South Africa, while Shahid Afridi remains skipper for ODIs.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sprang a surprise by appointing Misbahul Haq as captain for the upcoming test series against South Africa, while retaining Shahid Afridi as skipper for the One Day Internationals (ODI) and T20 matches.

PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar confirmed the appointments and said details would be given later.

The appointment of Misbah is a surprise given that he was only recalled to the national team for the ODIs and T20 against South Africa on Thursday after a gap of six months.

The 36-year-old, who has never captained Pakistan in test matches, last played in the T20 World Cup in West Indies and his last test appearance was in January against Australia in Sydney.

National selectors announced a new-look squad for the two tests against South Africa by recalling opener Taufeeq Umar for the first time since he played against England in August 2006.

Also recalled was fast bowler Mohammad Sami, who was dropped after the Australian tour.

Selectors also showed confidence in youngsters Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Zulqarnain Haider.

Test squad for the matches in South Africa is as follows:

Imran Farhat, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq (Capt), Zulqarnain Haider, Danish Kaneria, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Sami, Sohail Tanvir (subject to fitness).