Sarfraz Ahmed Not Suited to Test Captaincy, Should be Scrapped - Asif Iqbal

Former Pakistan Cricket Team skipper, Asif Iqbal has called for the scrapping of current Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed as the Test captain saying that he doe not suit in that role.

Meanwhile, Pakistan went down against New Zealand 2-1 in the three-match Test series last week. This is Pakistan’s second series loss in the UAE under Sarfraz Ahmed’s captaincy. Speaking on the aftermath of the loss, Asif Iqbal said that the ebbs and flows of Test cricket are not something that Sarfraz can efficiently manage.

“I understand that a few people are asking for Sarfaraz Ahmed to be removed as captain of the Pakistan side and I am one of them,” he told pakpassion.net. “Let me explain by saying that Sarfaraz is an ideal captain for Pakistan in the Twenty20 and ODI formats as he has the right sort of passion which you need for the shorter forms of the game. In Test cricket, however, the biggest challenge is to concentrate for up to five days, at all times.

“As a captain, you not only need to plan ahead of the game in the dressing room but also need to bring in your plans B and C, when things aren’t going your way during the game. In Twenty20 and ODIs there isn’t much time to worry about plans, but this is crucial in Tests as you don’t only execute a plan but deal with the situation as it unfolds.

What is also needed is a calm head and it’s important that one not show his frustrations as a captain as the team looks up to their leader guidance. All these are issues for Sarfaraz and on top of that, he is a young man and the pressure of expectations to be the best in all formats of the game is possibly too much to bear for him,” Asif Iqbal added.

Pakistan Cricket Team will travel to South Africa this month for three Test matches, five ODIs, and three T20Is.