Sarfaraz Ahmed reacts after PCB replaces Shaheen Afridi with Babar Azam as Pakistan's white-ball captain

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who has taken official citizenship in the United Kingdom, feels that PCB should have let Shaheen Afridi a longer rope as captain in T20Is.

His comments have come after the board informed Shaheen about their decision to move on from him as the leader for the ICC T20 World Cup later this June in the USA and West Indies. The board has re-appointed Babar Azam as the captain, just 4-months after he stepped down from the role.

While speaking in a recent TV show in Pakistan, Sarfaraz Ahmed was asked to shed light on the captaincy turmoil going around in the team. He was also asked to name the player he would want to see as the captain of the team.

Therein, he claimed that it’s up to the PCB to decide and that his choice won’t make any difference. But he did express that it would be best for the board to let Shaheen Afridi continue as captain of the shortest format.

The latest development earlier today confirmed that the PCB spoke to Shaheen Afridi about their wish to see Babar Azam as the captain when Pakistan begins their T20 WC campaign. After coming across the news, Shaheen was quite shocked and he expressed his dissatisfaction in this regard, stating that he could have been given a longer rope as the skipper.

Sarfaraz Ahmed wants PCB to give Shaheen Afridi some more time

Sarfaraz Ahmed started off his response by stating that it’s up to PCB to decide as to who should be captaining the team and whatever decision they take, will be best for the team. He then claimed that Shaheen Afridi, who led Pakistan in a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of New Zealand in a T20I series 2 months ago, should be given a full opportunity and the same goes for red-ball captain Shan Masood.

“This is the job of PCB, obviously whoever they think is the best will be the captain. Currently, Shaheen Afridi is the captain for white-ball cricket, and Shan Masood is the Test team captain, so, whoever they appoint the captain should be given a full opportunity.” – Sarfaraz Ahmed told a local TV channel in Pakistan. 

The 2017 ICC Champions Trophy-winning captain further asked the board to be patient with Shaheen Afridi and give him the freedom to improve his leadership skills. The left-arm pacer indeed deserves some backing as after that 4-1 loss in New Zealand, he endured a very tough season as captain of the Lahore Qalandars in PSL 9.

Having entered the 9th edition as the defending champions, the Qalandars were able to win only one game during the league stages with one match coming out with no result.

With that being said, Sarfaraz Ahmed went on to further state that if PCB removes Shaheen Afridi now then their decision to appoint in the first place was wrong. And if they sack him now, it will still be a huge mistake.

“I think that if you have appointed someone as captain (Shaheen) and given him the responsibility then give him time as well. If you change the captain then either the decision to appoint him was wrong or the decision to change him now is wrong.” – Sarfaraz concluded.  

Pakistan to begin T20 WC preparation from 18th April

Meanwhile, in their build-up to the T20 WC, Pakistan will begin their match preparation from 18th April onwards when they welcome New Zealand for the 1st T20I at the Rawalpindi stadium. Babar Azam has now been re-appointed as the Pakistan white-ball captain.