KARACHI: Sarfraz Ahmed has been sacked as Pakistan captain following the team’s dismal performance against Sri Lanka.
Not only has Sarfaraz lost his captaincy, but due to the drop in his overall form, he has been dropped from both the Test and T20I sides.
According to a press release issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Azhar Ali will lead the side in Test matches, while Babar Azam has been appointed the new T20I captain.
Azhar Ali has been made the Test captain for the World Test Championship in the 2019-20 season, while Babar Azam will lead the side in the shortest format shortest until next year’s ICC T20 World Cup Australia 2020.
Meanwhile, the captaincy for the ODIs will be finalised in due course as the national team’s next assignment is scheduled from 4-9 July 2020 against the Netherlands in Amstelveen.
The outgoing skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed said he was honoured to lead the side at the highest level. He also wished the new captains well for future assignments.
“It has been an honour to lead Pakistan at the highest level. I want to thank all my colleagues, coaches and selectors who have helped me in this journey. My good wishes are with Azhar Ali, Babar Azam and the Pakistan cricket team, and I hope they will continue to grow stronger and stronger,” Sarfaraz said.
Pakistan are scheduled to play Australia in two Tests in Brisbane (21-25 November) and Adelaide (29 November-3 December (d/n)) before hosting Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for two Tests apiece.
Pakistan will also play three T20Is each against Australia (3, 5 and 8 November) and Bangladesh before the curtain falls on their international domestic season in early February 2020.
