How can we manage Sarfaraz Ahmed's workload, now that he's captain in all formats?

[Abdullah719]

Going forward, once Pakistan start playing a moderate amount of cricket, this is likely to be a concern.

Sarfaraz will be keeping and captaining in all formats whilst playing a pivotal role with the bat as well.

What is rather worrying is that there is no obvious replacement as wicket-keeper with the Akmals out of contention and Rizwan not leaving a good impression (though his keeping was neat last time around). Rizwan's failures with the bat are likely to have made the selectors wary though him taking a leading role in the training matches at the HP camp suggests he is still in contention.

There is also no obvious vice-captaincy candidate with the 'seniors' likely to be nearing the end of their careers while the 'juniors' lack experience. Amir probably won't be considered for a captaincy/VC role.

So how should Pakistan manage this situation?

Hand over the T20 captaincy to someone like Imad (that's the only format where he's a guaranteed starter in my opinion)... or perhaps rest Sarfaraz in matches against teams like Zimbabwe (will that be enough)?

 

[hadi123]

The only thing I can suggest to manage his workload is rest him in dead rubbers and against the weaker teams. You can't remove him as captain when he has a brilliant record in both white ball formats so far (like you suggested for T20s) simply for managing his workload. However, if he is rested, the question is who will keep? Rizwan started off well but has gone downhill as a batsman, Akmal's aren't in the PCB's good books right now and there isn't really anyone else is there? Luckily, Pakistan don't play as much cricket as some of the other countries so I don't expect it to really affect his workload being captain.

 

[On_the_up]

PCB is doing just fine in managing his workload by not scheduling many international matches.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Dont make him play too many useless t20s

 

[ipl_fan]

Pakistan doesn't play enough cricket as such. Where is the issue of controlling his workload.

 

[hadi123]

Dont make him play too many useless t20s

That's the best way if PCB were trying to manage his workload, but the question is who will keep instead of him? Wicket keeper was a massive problem for us before Sarfraz became consistent; we had tried so many different ones, eg all 3 Akmals, Zulqarnain Haider, Mohammad Salman, Shakeel Ansar, Mohammad Rizwan etc so it seems like there are no wicket keeping alternatives for Sarfraz Ahmed

 

[mak36]

That's the best way if PCB were trying to manage his workload, but the question is who will keep instead of him? Wicket keeper was a massive problem for us before Sarfraz became consistent; we had tried so many different ones, eg all 3 Akmals, Zulqarnain Haider, Mohammad Salman, Shakeel Ansar, Mohammad Rizwan etc so it seems like there are no wicket keeping alternatives for Sarfraz Ahmed

There are definitely options. Mohammad Hasan was recently awarded a central contract, so it looks like he will be given a chance. From what I have heard he is a good keeper and an aggressive batsman.

Umair Masood is another name for the future.

PCB definitely seem aware of the issue, given they have awarded three contracts to wicketkeepers (Sarfaraz, Rizwan and Hasan).

 

[backfootpunch]

rest him in pointless in T20Is

 

[Abdullah719]

I agree that he shouldn't play T20s often but if that happens then wouldn't it be best to just have another captain for the format altogether?