LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani is reportedly unhappy with Mohsin Khan, the chairman of a newly formed cricket committee who suggested that Sarfraz Ahmed be relieved of Test captaincy.
“Mohsin Khan’s comments are creating difficulties for the cricket board,” a PCB source said.
The source further said, “PCB has asked Mohsin to stop giving out controversial statements and focus on the cricket committee that he has been appointed to lead.”
The PCB is also discussing a possible replacement of Mohsin Khan; if he continues to stir trouble then the board may consider a new chairman for the committee, the source added.
Mohsin Khan had aired his views about Sarfraz during a recent interview with a local news channel. “I have said it before and I will say it now too, with Sarfraz I was saying you got a new guy in and don’t put the burden of three formats on him.”
“It will take such a physical load on him, T20s, ODIs and then Tests; if he is captain he will not get any mental relaxation.”
“Sarfraz’s body language was so down. I felt sorry for him that he’s had so much pressure put on him, with T20s, ODIs and Tests. There’s no doubt he is so talented and it’s not as if he is 35-36.”
Mohsin Khan’s comments drew criticism from the cricketing circle, as fans and some former cricketers objected saying the statements were ill-timed and uncalled for, especially at a time when the Sarfraz-led side is bagging consecutive victories.
Mani, while addressing the media last week, had said that the decision to keep Sarfraz as the captain of the team would be taken after the recommendations of the cricket committee. This was in conflict with his earlier statement in which he had reposed “full faith in Sarfraz as Pakistan captain across all formats.”
Misbah backs Sarfraz to captain Pakistan until end of World Cup
LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has praised current captain Sarfraz Ahmed and backed him to remain in the role of captain until at least the end of next year’s Men’s Cricket World Cup.
In an interview published on the website of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Misbah said that Pakistan had gone through a mixed time under Sarfraz. His first Test series in charge saw Pakistan slip to their first series defeat in the UAE since 2002 against Sri Lanka, but they have since recorded an impressive draw in England and a win over Australia in the UAE.
“Sarfraz is improving as captain with each passing day and has been leading the side very well,” said Misbah. “All this talk of the captaincy being a burden on him or him facing problems with three formats is absurd. I am very much sure that he will do a great job in the World Cup too.”
Pakistan are going on top in Twenty20 Internationals as they have won 11 series in a row, and nine games in a row too.
However, their form has been varied in One-day Internationals. Sarfraz began his reign by memorably leading Pakistan team to the Champions Trophy title, which was followed up with three 5-0 series results; two for, against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, and one against, inflicted by New Zealand.
The Asia Cup saw Pakistan struggling under Sarfraz, who faced severe criticism. Pakistan were twice beaten by India, while a loss to Bangladesh saw them fail to make the final.
“I think every team and player experience a bad patch in their career and Asia Cup was that bad patch for Pakistan,” said Misbah. “I know that the players would learn from their mistakes and overcome them to excel in all formats from here on. I think this is the right time to announce Sarfraz as captain because we don’t have much time left for the World Cup.”
LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has praised current captain Sarfraz Ahmed and backed him to remain in the role of captain until at least the end of next year’s Men’s Cricket World Cup.
