Kolkata: Be it any sport, the day always comes when the veterans and seniors step aside for the young and juniors to drive forward the legacy of the team and to carry on from where they left. After the Indian cricket team, it seems that the Pakistan cricket team too is undergoing a transitional change. Few days back it was Shahid Afridi and now two other veterans of the team, namely test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan have announced their retirement recently.
Thankfully for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), legendary batsman Javed Miandad has given his valuable opinion as to who should be the next test captain. Without any sight of hesitation, the veteran played his bet on young star Sarfraz Ahmed. He mentioned the fact that Sarfraz is not only a good player, but very dependable too.
Speaking to APP, he said “Sarfraz is a dependable player and he has already led the ODI team to victory against West Indies which was his first assignment as ODI skipper.” Along with Sarfraz, Miandad also praised young stars Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali for putting up good performances in the ODIs and T20s.
The 29-year old Sarfraz has been in good form and has successfully led the men in green against the West Indies. This is why he has been a clear favourite for the test skipper’s throne. Not only Javed Miandad but even Shahid Afridi backs Sarfraz. In an interview given to the International Cricket Council (ICC) recently, the former all-rounder quoted “No doubt, Sarfraz is an aggressive captain and the team needs such an individual.”
Former Pakistani veteran leg- spinner Abdul Qadir too came out and voiced for Sarfraz. “Sarfraz is a fighter and the team seems united under his captaincy. Making Sarfraz captain of all the three formats would avoid groupings among players in the team.”
After the three test match series against West Indies which is set to commence from the 21st of April this year, Misbah-ul-Haq will step down. So not much time is left with the PCB, which needs to act quickly and take a decision.
Miandad has claimed that the West Indies team now aren’t that threatening as they used to be previously. He said “The current West Indies team has many new players and it would have been very disappointing if Pakistan had lost the series against them.”
Sarfraz Ahmed, who had a winning ODI debut against India back in 2007 has played 33 test matches till date and has had 3 international centuries alongside his name. If appointed as the skipper of the team after the West Indies tour, he will have to maintain the confidence these legends have exhibited upon him.
(with inputs from Dawn)