"Appoint one captain and Sarfraz Ahmed is ideal for this role" : Wasim Akram

[Abdullah719]

Wasim Akram speaking on TV:

"I don't think its that easy to say that if we change the team, the whole team will change for the better."

"You knew that weather would be a problem but you still managed to organise the OD cup in Rawalpindi."

"In India, the Ranji Trophy is held at the same time every year; here we say, I don't feel like organising a T20 tournament, lets do something else."

"They have made everything complicated to prove that the people in charge have power."

"Our culture does not allow 2 or 3 captains; look at India, who now have Kohli as their captain."

"Credit to MS Dhoni who realised that there should be one leader and opted to play as a player."

"Lets appoint one captain and see how things change. In my view a player who is ideal for this role as he has also captained at the U19 level is Sarfraz Ahmed."

(Which batsmen should form permanent part of ODI team) "Sharjeel, Babar and Sarfraz Ahmed for me."

"The current bowlers are the best we have, we don't have any bowlers bowling 150kph though there are some good performers in domestic cricket."

"Fahim Ashraf did well in Departmental One-Day Cup but he didn't get a chance to play for the Regions. The whole situation is unnecessarily complicated. When I was playing, we would play for departments and regions."

"Too many complications, common sense is obviously not common amongst those running first-class cricket."

"Pakistan need a cricket director who knows cricket. Do we have anyone like that?"

"Fitness levels should be high at FC cricket, you shouldn't need to become fit after coming into the national team."

 

[Syed1]

Sarfaraz is the heir-apparent and rightfully so. Arguably the best captain in Pakistan these days and a gun batsman. Averages 42 with SR of 90 in the last two years in ODIs. Guys like Akmal and Shehzad do not deserve to be in the same room as him.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Not too sure about test matches [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] your thoughts on this?

 

[ask_analyse_act]

The problem here is defensive captaincy... MISBAH was a defensive captain we all know that and ppl rightly think azhar his successor who is also a meek character will be defensive as he came under the tutelage of MISBAH which he proved to be defensive.. I think in tests azhar deserves captaincy more than sarfraz but the problem is defensive captaincy... In order to fix this , MYK should be given the captaincy in tests and his attacking captaincy will be something to brush aside azhar and babar so can groom one of them for the test captaincy and eventually replace MYK when he retires... Giving sarfraz the test captaincy might backfire as he needs the batsmen to make the bulk of scoring which azhar and MYK is destined to do so and they might not take it serious as they are not the captains or will be captains anymore..By making sarfraz test captain, pak will lose azhar one of the finest test batsman they have in the lineup... The desi mentality will overrule the Sarfraz-azhar friendship combo and Azhar might turn disinterested to score runs under sarfraz...This is the same reason NZL were not performing well in tests compared to the LOIs under McCullum..

 

[Hawkeye]

Everyone is backing the wrong guy here.

Sarfraz may be fine for Tests, but doesn't have a definite place in LOIs, and isn't ideal for LOIs either. Albeit, the better option among the current ones.

Someone like Amir has a guaranteed spot in all 3 formats and he's super fit.

Sarfraz' gloves have become lubricant, he has become super unfit, and his batting is going Malik Way in LOIs.

 

[Pete Rose]

Wasim is wrong on this. and it will be bear out over time.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Everyone is backing the wrong guy here.

Sarfraz may be fine for Tests, but doesn't have a definite place in LOIs, and isn't ideal for LOIs either. Albeit, the better option among the current ones.

Someone like Amir has a guaranteed spot in all 3 formats and he's super fit.

Sarfraz' gloves have become lubricant, he has become super unfit, and his batting is going Malik Way in LOIs.

He was never fit for LOIs despite you once claiming he was one of the best keeper batsmen in the world in LOIs as well. Expect you to deny it or bring up my thread about Rizwan which is completely unrelated to this. I agree with you that Amir should be captain and Babar should be his deputy but the PCB isn't bold enough to even think about this

 

[Syed1]

He was never fit for LOIs despite you once claiming he was one of the best keeper batsmen in the world in LOIs as well. Expect you to deny it or bring up my thread about Rizwan which is completely unrelated to this. I agree with you that Amir should be captain and Babar should be his deputy but the PCB isn't bold enough to even think about this

Sarfaraz "not fit for LOI" Ahmed average 42 in the last 2 years at a strike rate of 90.

 

[cricketerB94]

Sarfaraz "not fit for LOI" Ahmed average 42 in the last 2 years at a strike rate of 90.

But but we have Buttler and Billings waiting on bench, why waste time on Sarfraz?

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

But but we have Buttler and Billings waiting on bench, why waste time on Sarfraz?

Sarfaraz "not fit for LOI" Ahmed average 42 in the last 2 years at a strike rate of 90.

Exactly he's only one guy who has been captaining fro under 19 days , from gulley cricket to club cricket to national he's the only guy who has been groomed to be the captain but we have few great batman and captains in domestic so we should try them!!

 

[Hawkeye]

He was never fit for LOIs despite you once claiming he was one of the best keeper batsmen in the world in LOIs as well. Expect you to deny it or bring up my thread about Rizwan which is completely unrelated to this. I agree with you that Amir should be captain and Babar should be his deputy but the PCB isn't bold enough to even think about this

He indeed was the best Test wk/bat at that time, and an excellent one for ODIs.

Don't get stuck on this, he's still the best relative to other keepers/middle order players in the team, but regressed a lot. It's not enough for the future, though.

On the other hand, "Rizwan the best finisher in the country" was a clueless specialist fielder from the start. Can't compare the two despite you trying to quote me in every thread.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

He indeed was the best Test wk/bat at that time, and an excellent one for ODIs.

Don't get stuck on this, he's still the best relative to other keepers/middle order players in the team, but regressed a lot. It's not enough for the future, though.

On the other hand, "Rizwan the best finisher in the country" was a clueless specialist fielder from the start. Can't compare the two despite you trying to quote me in every thread.

That's a good defensive mechanism you have there. Perhaps I should remind you of your Rafatullah Mohmand thread every time you bring Rizwan into the discussion. Keep it to Sarfaraz

 

[Hawkeye]

That's a good defensive mechanism you have there. Perhaps I should remind you of your Rafatullah Mohmand thread every time you bring Rizwan into the discussion. Keep it to Sarfaraz

And turn a blind eye against my correct predictions.

It's a public forum, you're free to do whatever you want. Mostly.

 

[cricwiz]

What Wasim Akram is saying makes 100% sense i.e. appoint one captain across all formats

Since 2012, Pakistan team has been in constant decline because we had 2 captains all the time i.e. first Misbah n Hafeez - than Misbah n Afridi - than Azhar n Afridi and finally Azhar n Sarfraz to date. All modern teams play ODI cricket as extended form of T20 cricket, while we have separate captains for T20 and ODIs. And than we complain that our team is regressing. How much more experimentation do we want with this 2 captains idea??? Till we reach No. 10 in all formats?

 

[PakLFC]

""I don't think its that easy to say that if we change the team, the whole team will change for the better." is the most crucial point. Although Sarfaraz will bring enthusiasm he can't make other players play well.

 

[coy0607]

no question Pak cricket setup can only work with 1 captain - having 3 captains is absurd

also, Sarfraz is clearly the only option, plays all 3 formats, proven leader with experience, solid performer...

PCB is more interested in playing politics and maximizing corruption to make the right decision

 

[MMHS]

Not too sure about test matches [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] your thoughts on this?

Sarfu was the perfect candidate for ODI captaincy after Misbah in March 2015. By now, he would have been perfect fit for all 3 formats for at least a year or two & PCB could have appointed Amir or Babar as his deputy - the only 2 players that has a long career in 3 formats.

Now, I think it's too late for Sarfu - may be they'll force him as ODI captain, but it'll end like Azhar in a year or two. When appointed, there was lots of support for Azhar as well.

Personally, I'll appoint Sarfu as ODI & T20 Captain on a short term basis & Amir or Babar as his deputy - first sign of Sarfu making the team as captain more than a player - he goes out. For Test, I'll appoint YK Captain for a year & Babar or Amir deputy.

I can sympathize with Sarfu but the ship has sailed past - he is in wrong side of age & his fitness is not good enough for his role as WK & Captain. Unlike MS, Sanga, Stuart or AB, he is not good enough with bat that one can appoint him as Captain & when it becomes too much work load, they bring a WK & Sarfu plays as a specialist bat.

If Azhar is made Test Captain, he'll take PAK to the same ranking where he took them in ODI. I actually believe Azhar can be a better ODI captain because in ODI, captains are forced to go for a result, so he won some matches. If he is made Test Captain - first he'll make sure that the home wicket is a 7 Day wicket, then he'll pick all rounders to lengthen batting line up & yes men for protection of his captaincy - it'll be impossible to imagine PAK taking 20 wickets in a Test. Result is 0-0 or 0-1 in UAE & usual hiding away.

Azhar was made & backed as captain (still is) only because of his good boy image - SK made his job easy of handling the team by appointing an yes man. He was sacked by his PSL team as well after one season when he is still PAK captain. Unless Shahriar leaves, I don't see a strong Captain being appointed - Shahriar had a bad memory with Oval gate, so this time he has made sure that his captains will offer 2nd cheek if he is slapped at one side.

 

[MMHS]

Multiple Captain theory came few years back (mostly from Eng) when the diversity of different format demanded different set of players & there were hardly any player that was automatic choice for all 3 formats. BUT, it was never a good idea & gradually every team has gone to single Captain whenever they can.

For PAK, the case was opposite - PCB went for single Captain & then appointed wrong person. And they were unlucky as well - few players that could have been captain in 3 formats had different issues - YK has personality clash; Butt went for few dollars more, Moyo was a child when it comes to tactics & Amir followed Butt.

In last few years, to be honest the best player for all 3 format was MoHa who should have been the Captain for all 3 formats after 2011 WC for next 4 years at least. But, then PCB had to honour Afridi & Misbah.

Going forward, only thing I can suggest is if they can't find one Captain then make sure that there is no over lap - that's if a Test/LO specialist is made Captain - he must not play under another Captain in one format. For that, when Malik retirees from Test, it could have been a good idea to make him LO Captain & keep away from Test team.

May be it'll happen after PAK reaches 8th or lower in all 3 formats - but one day it'll happen - Amir Captain & Babar deputy - may be when Amir won't be good enough to make the team as a fast bowler they'll appoint him (I can name at least 3/4 PAK captain who made the team as specialist Captain - hence went for protection), but that's the only way for a upwards curve.

I fear the worst though - MoHa being made Captain for Test & ODI side & he'll remain Shahriar's pet to keep his job.

 

[sshakir411]

LOL, obviously Wasim doesn't know as much or better than our resident experts.

 

[proud_pakistani]

The main issue I have with Sarfraz is his fitness and his keeping. To be very honest Rizwan kept really well in Sarfraz's absence and I as a selector would be really tempted to continue on with Rizwan due to that. It's a tough situation for selectors to be in. On the captaincy issue as well Hafeez captained really well in Azhars absence and the difference in strategy and tactics was apparent when Azhar took back the captaincy. For me I will have 2 captains.

ODIs and T20s - Hafeez

Tests - Sarfraz

I doubt Sarfraz can captain better than Hafeez which is why I will pick Hafeez in the other 2 formats

 

[boomboom6]

He indeed was the best Test wk/bat at that time, and an excellent one for ODIs.

Don't get stuck on this, he's still the best relative to other keepers/middle order players in the team, but regressed a lot. It's not enough for the future, though.

On the other hand, "Rizwan the best finisher in the country" was a clueless specialist fielder from the start. Can't compare the two despite you trying to quote me in every thread.

Last 8 ODIs for Sarfaraz vs Eng & WI:

419 runs, 3 50s, 1 century, SR of 95+ avg. of nearly 70.

Tell us again how he has regressed?

 

[Abdullah719]

Wasim's wish has come true!

 

[Major]

Thats because faheem ashraf sucks

 

[Major]

He indeed was the best Test wk/bat at that time, and an excellent one for ODIs.

Don't get stuck on this, he's still the best relative to other keepers/middle order players in the team, but regressed a lot. It's not enough for the future, though.

On the other hand, "Rizwan the best finisher in the country" was a clueless specialist fielder from the start. Can't compare the two despite you trying to quote me in every thread.

Rizwan is a good batsmen. Proven in domestic. Its sad that he wasnt able to perform at international but the guy is proven