Post 2019 World Cup: Should Pakistan persist with Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain?

[shockbound]

He never did much wrong, as compared to other options.
His batting, confidence and fitness sucks big time. Agreed, someone need to give him huge phainta for these things.

However he managed limited resources we had in an effective manner and often got us across the line with his decisions when it mattered.

Instead of putting up Babar, Amir or any other into the race of politics while they themselves need ton of improvements, we should be letting Sarfraz have another go for WC (if he can improve his batting, bit of fitness and keep the captaincy up). Having a new cap is not going to do good here.

What do you say?

 

[Savak]

Nope. Needs to be moved on. He is a non improving captain and he does not merit a place in the team anymore

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Yes and Hafeez can be vice captain.

 

[aloo paratha]

No way. Fakhar should become captain of LOIs. Sarfraz is a liability with the bat, and he'll be nearing 36 by the next world cup. He is not fit now so how will he be fit then? His captaincy is nothing amazing either.

 

[AAli98]

News were reporting in the morning sarfraz will resign after the world cup.

 

[hitthestump]

This is the biggest question for Pakistan now. It was pressing before the WC and given Pak's mixed performances, nobody is really sure what should happen next.

If we keep Safaraz, we are keeping a captain who has a poor overall ODI record and does not make the team on merit. However, he is a natural leader and very experienced in the role.

If we lose Safaraz and the next captain turns out to be a failure, who's next? How far could Pakistan slip experimenting with poor captains given none of the next generation are obvious choices?

 

[IAJ]

No way. Fakhar should become captain of LOIs. Sarfraz is a liability with the bat, and he'll be nearing 36 by the next world cup. He is not fit now so how will he be fit then? His captaincy is nothing amazing either.

Lol Fakhar as captain? Surely this must be a sarcastic proposal?

 

[Titan24]

Non performer, unfit and poor tactician.

Not did much wrong is a poor justification to retain him in my opinion.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

What's the logical point of sticking with him?

IMO Pakistan should appoint Amir as their LOI captain until the next world cup.

We must find a new wk asap.

But knowing PCB, nothing of this sort will happen.

 

[OmaIR1]

What does he bring to the table?

A non-performer with the bat, average captaincy and poor fitness.

Sarfraz needs to go in my opinon.

 

[Brilliance]

This should be the end of Malik, Hafeez, Sarfaraz and Wahab and maybe Imad too in ODIs.

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Haris
Rizwan
Batsman
Shadab
Gohar
Hassan
Amir
Shaheen

 

[shockbound]

This is the biggest question for Pakistan now. It was pressing before the WC and given Pak's mixed performances, nobody is really sure what should happen next.

If we keep Safaraz, we are keeping a captain who has a poor overall ODI record and does not make the team on merit. However, he is a natural leader and very experienced in the role.

If we lose Safaraz and the next captain turns out to be a failure, who's next? How far could Pakistan slip experimenting with poor captains given none of the next generation are obvious choices?

He's better at captaincy. This is proven almost at every stage. His record was due to poor set of players around him.

Yes and Hafeez can be vice captain.

Hafeez should train his kids now.

No way. Fakhar should become captain of LOIs. Sarfraz is a liability with the bat, and he'll be nearing 36 by the next world cup. He is not fit now so how will he be fit then? His captaincy is nothing amazing either.

Fakhar the single innings wonder?

 

[hb787]

No.

 

[shockbound]

This should be the end of Malik, Hafeez, Sarfaraz and Wahab and maybe Imad too in ODIs.

Fakhar
Imam
Babar
Haris
Rizwan
Batsman
Shadab
Gohar
Hassan
Amir
Shaheen

Minus Sarfaraz.
Yes at 38 Wahab would be Sami.

Imad may stay for another episode, all seniors cant leave at once. He got few years plus he wasn't as bad as Malik and Hafeez.

 

[hb787]

This is the biggest question for Pakistan now. It was pressing before the WC and given Pak's mixed performances, nobody is really sure what should happen next.

If we keep Safaraz, we are keeping a captain who has a poor overall ODI record and does not make the team on merit. However, he is a natural leader and very experienced in the role.

If we lose Safaraz and the next captain turns out to be a failure, who's next? How far could Pakistan slip experimenting with poor captains given none of the next generation are obvious choices?

Natural leader? You mean when he sent everyone in against Aus and then came to bat?
He is terrible captain, non performing batsmen and a terrible wicket keeper.

 

[shockbound]

What's the logical point of sticking with him?

IMO Pakistan should appoint Amir as their LOI captain until the next world cup.

We must find a new wk asap.

But knowing PCB, nothing of this sort will happen.

Amir is not performing right now. Yes he had 1-2 good games, but thats it. He is bowling cross-seams which are harmless. The only + is his economy. You cant make such person a kaptaan. Plus he got no experience to lead the side.

Yes we should give strict warning to Safaraz about improving his game else we will be having a big enough reason to replace him. Right now replacing him would be an emotional one. Need to focus over improving his batting/fitness rather than finding more options.

 

[shockbound]

Natural leader? You mean when he sent everyone in against Aus and then came to bat?
He is terrible captain, non performing batsmen and a terrible wicket keeper.

Natural leader as a team, not as a batsman. Learn the difference.

 

[shockbound]

What does he bring to the table?

A non-performer with the bat, average captaincy and poor fitness.

Sarfraz needs to go in my opinon.

First and last points are fixable. Captaincy is better than most. Why not fix cons and keep what's good rather than hoping a Mr.Bean intro sorts of captain-drop.

 

[lahoriyah1234]

Dont understand the logic of changing Captains. Stick with Sarfraz for 1 yr and groom someone young for the future under him and do the transition smoothly and efficiently. Babar azam or harris sohail can be given a chance.

 

[aloo paratha]

Lol Fakhar as captain? Surely this must be a sarcastic proposal?

No joke. He has experience in domestic cricket of being captain, and he merits a place in the team.

 

[Hasan123]

No he needs to be moved. His fitness is poor and he will decline rapidly. Doesn’t make the team on merit, a poor tactician, no personality, and he lacks communication. He has been given 2 years of backing. That has been more than enough time to see he is not the man to take Pakistan cricket forward.

 

[moghul]

Yes and Hafeez can be vice captain.

Yeah, Sarfraz , captain, Hafeez senior vice captain and Malik vice captain, lets continue to use these experienced folks.

 

[moghul]

No joke. He has experience in domestic cricket of being captain, and he merits a place in the team.

Fakhar now should not be allowed to come close to the team, move on, try some youngster now.

 

[farazaidi]

as much as I've criticized Sarfraz and his captaincy, yes I think we should persist with him for a year and make Amir his vice. We've never really groomed captains and this is the reason why every player wishes to be the captain in post WC debacles.

Amir has the wits about him, his understanding of the game is second to none. And he always thrives in challenge and high pressure games. His bowling in the finals of T20WC 2009 and CT-17 is a testament to his temperament.

Sorry no Babar, he is just too feeble. Would end up as another Azhar Ali and it will just add undue pressure to our best batsman of the team

 

[OmaIR1]

First and last points are fixable. Captaincy is better than most. Why not fix cons and keep what's good rather than hoping a Mr.Bean intro sorts of captain-drop.

Not worth the investment for the 2023 WC.

If he hasn't done it by now it won't happen in my opinion. This is a good time to invest in a new leader who is fitness pro, put emphasis on fielding and leads from the front. I don't see value in hoping Sarfraz can improve in those areas for the next WC.

 

[nextover666666]

No need to move on from
This guy appoint anyone else babar Fakhar Shaheen anyone but him personally I would go with imad wasim

 

[hitthestump]

Imad Wasim as captain lol. When Imran was talking about Raillu Kattas who do you think he meant?

It's a very strong argument to keep Sarfaraz in the role though.

 

[gazza619]

We need to change the captain, no matter what happens!

Or we will be crying the same way in 4 years time.

 

[Junaid_ahmed]

I will persist with him.

 

[Sami92]

No. IMO Sarfaraz Ahmed should not be the captain post WC.

 

[Kroll]

Yeah, Sarfraz , captain, Hafeez senior vice captain and Malik vice captain, lets continue to use these experienced folks.

Wahab as stand in vice captain.

 

[hb787]

as much as I've criticized Sarfraz and his captaincy, yes I think we should persist with him for a year and make Amir his vice. We've never really groomed captains and this is the reason why every player wishes to be the captain in post WC debacles.

Amir has the wits about him, his understanding of the game is second to none. And he always thrives in challenge and high pressure games. His bowling in the finals of T20WC 2009 and CT-17 is a testament to his temperament.

Sorry no Babar, he is just too feeble. Would end up as another Azhar Ali and it will just add undue pressure to our best batsman of the team

Amir is not getting that stint because of his past.

 

[last_knight]

Pakistan needs a bowling Captain.

SSA for T20s.
Abbas in Tests.

I think Pakistan aren't playing ODIs anytime soon. T20 assignment can tell us about SSA prospects wrt ODI captaincy. If he doesn't impress with T20s, PCB always have Babar for ODIs.

He always talks with sense and message and I have found his statements mostly are very focused.

 

[AdamM97]

Babar is the only guy who is a guaranteed selection so i don't see any other option but him as a captain.

 

[emranabbas]

If PP is deciding who our next captain will be, then I suggest Hasnain he has done nothing wrong this world cup

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Babar or Imad

 

[nads_rocks]

If Fakhar can improve his game and batting again, he should drop down to no.3 role and become captain lead from the front.

Babar needs to open the innings with someone thats not Imam and thats not Fakhar.

Fakhar may give fast starts but he is hit and miss and a walking wicket, so rather have him when the shine has been taken off the ball

Try new opener - Not Abid Ali because of age.
Babar
Fakhar (c)
Haris
Rizwan (wk)
Shadab
Amir
Shaheen
Shinwari

Find a decent all rounder
A clinical finisher
And a good spin bowler.

 

[Abdul]

No, clown needs to get booted out.

 

[Jabo]

Nope and not even as a player in the side

Not sure who can replace him
Rizwan is worse

 

[USaqaf]

Yes. Shoaib Malik.

 

[FreakCricket]

Fakhar captain all of a sudden lol where do these posters come from ?

If not Sarfraz whos your option ? Hafeez should be made captain for an year or two so he can groom Babar or Imad or Shadab, Amir could be a good option as well.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

No hell no.He should be kicked as soon as possible.He doesn't make team on merit.awful batsman pathetic captain and useless wicket keeper and less said about his fitness is better.
Go sarfraz go

 

[Majid Khan]

Yes agree Hafeez should be made captain, as one thing we have missing is a captain who earns his place in the team through his consistent performances especially against strong opposition and in difficult situations - Hafeez is the man and will inspire the younger generation when he goes out to bat oozing in confidence against likes of Starc and
Rabada, that’s the kind of captain that will lead by example and make the world take notice.

 

[KP From India]

Sarfaraz is very good and inspires team. Unfortunately team does not belong to his skill level and discipline.

 

[QalandarFan]

Most importantly we need a new tests captain. Like oh lord please it's painful to watch this guy captain in tests. I can bare everything else but I believe we haven't won a single series in Tests under him, we lost our fortress of UAE TO SRI-LANKA OF ALL TEAMS! Than we lose to NZ barely draw against Australia all at home and get an epic phaintay in SA, against probably the weakest SA team ever. But please don't make the captain in tests someone like Asad Shafiq who should be dropped or Azhar Ali who is nearing the end of his career. Make it someone who deserves a spot on merit at the absolute least.

For ODI's hearing a lot about Babar being made captain, hopefully it's true. Lot of people are worried but we need to take the leap of faith how long will we continue to persist with guys like Hafeez, Malik, and Sarfraz. We need some young blood and with 4 years to the next world cup Babar will be more than ready as Captain. Also didn't Babar captain at the U-19 level as well or was that Sami Aslam?

 

[QalandarFan]

Fakhar captain all of a sudden lol where do these posters come from ?

If not Sarfraz whos your option ? Hafeez should be made captain for an year or two so he can groom Babar or Imad or Shadab, Amir could be a good option as well.

Yes groom by having them sit behind 40 year old babbas and wait 2 years before they can actually learn anything. You make Babar captain now so he has maximum time to learn before the next world cup. You don't sit back and let guys like Hafeez who are past their expiry date captain the team. Your talking as if Hafeez is not Hafeez but Dhoni, who Babar will learn from smh.

 

[FreakCricket]

Yes groom by having them sit behind 40 year old babbas and wait 2 years before they can actually learn anything. You make Babar captain now so he has maximum time to learn before the next world cup. You don't sit back and let guys like Hafeez who are past their expiry date captain the team. Your talking as if Hafeez is not Hafeez but Dhoni, who Babar will learn from smh.

Babar is the only Player who could walk into any team, Captaincy should be too much for him at the moment. We need mushrafe type player who should be given captaincy to lead the team.

Realistically speaking Babar can't even speak urdu properly, making him captain will put immense pressure.

 

[Hasan123]

Most importantly we need a new tests captain. Like oh lord please it's painful to watch this guy captain in tests. I can bare everything else but I believe we haven't won a single series in Tests under him, we lost our fortress of UAE TO SRI-LANKA OF ALL TEAMS! Than we lose to NZ barely draw against Australia all at home and get an epic phaintay in SA, against probably the weakest SA team ever. But please don't make the captain in tests someone like Asad Shafiq who should be dropped or Azhar Ali who is nearing the end of his career. Make it someone who deserves a spot on merit at the absolute least.

For ODI's hearing a lot about Babar being made captain, hopefully it's true. Lot of people are worried but we need to take the leap of faith how long will we continue to persist with guys like Hafeez, Malik, and Sarfraz. We need some young blood and with 4 years to the next world cup Babar will be more than ready as Captain. Also didn't Babar captain at the U-19 level as well or was that Sami Aslam?

That Australian drawn test was an embarrassment. It was a weak team. They survived 139 overs and a day and half of batting.

 

[sshakir411]

I think it would be best for Sarfraz to resign and let our fans see what Babar, Amir, mate, or xyz can do.

 

[Nasty Naz]

I don't see a good enough replacement tbh. And to those suggesting Amir/Imad etc... keep in mind, if you name someone captain, they're in the XI all the time. Amir was almost kicked out of this team after a 2 year slump and now people want him as captain? That seems insane to me. Imad is frankly not good enough to be in XI in every single match. I will say though, I did enjoy his captaincy in the Australia series. He was very aggressive with his fielding and tactically, I was impressed.

A captain has to be a long-term position and someone that will have a permanent XI position and of course, someone that deserves it too. It could be Babar but I don't know if he's really a leader as of yet and I wouldn't want to put that burden on him already.

I'd just leave it as Sarfraz, honestly. I'd assume lineup decisions are based heavily on what Mickey says and I don't think Pakistan currently has a better wicket keeper either. They should groom Shadab for the role IMO.