"We haven’t made any decision regarding Sarfaraz’s future as a captain in WC 2019" : Ehsan Mani

[Abdullah719]

"We haven’t made any decision regarding Sarfaraz’s future as a captain in WC 2019" : Ehsan Mani

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ehsan Mani said on Sunday that the decision to keep Sarfraz Ahmed as the captain of the team will be done after the recommendations of the cricket committee.

The PCB chairman was addressing media after the final of Quaid-e-Azam Day Cup 2018 in Lahore, where he said that his statement regarding Justice Qayyum’s report was taken out of context.

While responding to a question related to former Chairman PCB Najam Sethi, he said that when they respond to his notice then all facts will come before the public.

On the subject of alleged tension with national team coach Mickey Arthur, Mani said that he will not pass any statement on it.

Earlier, Mani said that he has full faith in Sarfraz Ahmed as Pakistan captain across all formats.

Mani’s comments come after Mohsin Khan, the chairman of a newly formed PCB committee, suggested that Sarfraz be relieved of Test captaincy.

https://sportslinkpk.com/en/2018/11...ricket-committees-recommendations-ehsan-mani/

 

[Mir jibran]

something is fishy
sarfaraz has to win nz test series othewise i see him being sacked by this ridiculous regime

 

[AFM]

Are we really going to risk losing Mickey and Sarfraz just to keep Mohsin Khan happy?

 

[Junaids]

I have a horrible feeling that Imran Khan sees Sarfraz Ahmed as a reincarnation of Javed Miandad - an uncivilised streetwise hustler.

And he would prefer instead to have an educated patrician leader in his own image.

Which means one of two men, neither of whom should even be in the team.

Shan Masood or Salman Butt.

I did want Butt as a short-term stopgap in Australia two years ago. But to me now the future is Fakhar Zaman and Imam opening.

I actually think the alternative is to go down a generation for the skipper - Babar Azam or Shadab Khan.

 

[Fahdi]

I highly doubt the cricket committee is unanimous in this regard. Most likely Misbah and Wasim will oppose it. Sarfraz may not be Misbah's choice for captain but Misbah won't like chopping and changing of captains especially for this reason.

 

[Asif321]

Will be stupidity and disastrous to change captain in any format till 2019 WC
We will be playing just 2 series test till WC no need to change now
Asad Shafiq? Azhar Ali? Sarfraz is doing fine if he doesn’t feel burdened then no need to change
Suddenly when things go good they come up with useless recommendations

 

[Hawkeye]

I have a horrible feeling that Imran Khan sees Sarfraz Ahmed as a reincarnation of Javed Miandad - an uncivilised streetwise hustler.

And he would prefer instead to have an educated patrician leader in his own image.

Which means one of two men, neither of whom should even be in the team.

Shan Masood or Salman Butt.

I did want Butt as a short-term stopgap in Australia two years ago. But to me now the future is Fakhar Zaman and Imam opening.

I actually think the alternative is to go down a generation for the skipper - Babar Azam or Shadab Khan.

Nah, not really. Masood/Butt are nowhere near being considered.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Get ready for a crisis pre world cup. Happens before every world cup

 

[Hawkeye]

Lol at people blowing this out of proportion.

He's not being removed as ODI captain.

In other formats it could be argued. Like Tests. Because his individual performances are zero and being affected.

In ODIs too, but world cup is near so I don't think they'll even touch that format.

 

[Madplayer]

How on earth can you even say soeething like this so close the world cup? These dinosaurs have lost it. Mohsin khan is inept.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

I have a horrible feeling that Imran Khan sees Sarfraz Ahmed as a reincarnation of Javed Miandad - an uncivilised streetwise hustler.

And he would prefer instead to have an educated patrician leader in his own image.

Which means one of two men, neither of whom should even be in the team.

Shan Masood or Salman Butt.

I did want Butt as a short-term stopgap in Australia two years ago. But to me now the future is Fakhar Zaman and Imam opening.

I actually think the alternative is to go down a generation for the skipper - Babar Azam or Shadab Khan.

You are reading too much into it. IK has no time for micro managing PCB or cricket. Neither of those will be captain. Butt will never play again for Pakistan.

Shafiq will be next captain in tests for Pakistan. Sarfraz should go, wasting a place in the team.

 

[DRsohail]

Sarfarz can be relieved as test captain as he hasn’t been great with gloves or batting in tests forget about the captaincy.

 

[Hasan123]

He won't be removed as captain but can people please stop saying removing a captain now is too late due to the WC? Sarfraz was made captain a few months before the CT. So judging by that logic, you wouldn't have made Sarfraz captain.

Anyway Sarfraz won't be sacked from ODIs till the WC minimum. If we don't perform, he will be sacked imo.

 

[the Great Khan]

why the hell do we want to sack him? he is doing fine. Just one his test series against aus and if he does well against NZ he would have done pretty good. He captained ok in england..what more do people want? he's a fighter and has great passion unlike past cuptaans who like to doff their hats to dhoni and bend over at the first sign of trouble..

 

[reversehook]

I have a horrible feeling that Imran Khan sees Sarfraz Ahmed as a reincarnation of Javed Miandad - an uncivilised streetwise hustler.

And he would prefer instead to have an educated patrician leader in his own image.

Which means one of two men, neither of whom should even be in the team.

Shan Masood or Salman Butt.

I did want Butt as a short-term stopgap in Australia two years ago. But to me now the future is Fakhar Zaman and Imam opening.

I actually think the alternative is to go down a generation for the skipper - Babar Azam or Shadab Khan.

umm IK has or would have no qualms with SA, and i doubt would cater for a SB... so idk where you are coming from...

this committee is just doing the damage which it was set to prevent from happening... maybe the chaos is only here on PP and media for the time being...

if SA has to be or gets sacked from captaincy, then it should never be babar azam, keep this bloke just focused on batting... now if shadab khan can start to show a bit of more maturity on and off the field then he will be a solid contender for captaincy...

 

[Markhor]

How about you fully support your captain in public and air these thoughts in private ?

Mani has had a bad few weeks.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Why don't you just sack Mohsin Khan?

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

How on earth can you even say soeething like this so close the world cup? These dinosaurs have lost it. Mohsin khan is inept.

Mohsin Khan wants it to be about him

Taking revenge for 2012 where he thinks he was wronged despite being on the tap most of the time

 

[MMHS]

I have a horrible feeling that Imran Khan sees Sarfraz Ahmed as a reincarnation of Javed Miandad - an uncivilised streetwise hustler.

And he would prefer instead to have an educated patrician leader in his own image.

Which means one of two men, neither of whom should even be in the team.

Shan Masood or Salman Butt.

I did want Butt as a short-term stopgap in Australia two years ago. But to me now the future is Fakhar Zaman and Imam opening.

I actually think the alternative is to go down a generation for the skipper - Babar Azam or Shadab Khan.

Butt is not educated (can speak in English for A level backgrounds), neither civilised, nor street hustler, and his past is too muddy for IK to recommend him (even if I believe PAK PM has the time for this). For Shan, I actually wrote few days back that had he been a little better cricketer, he should have been a deputy of Test side at least. Making him Captain will be again similar type mistake - appointing a specialist Captain, who doesn’t merit a regular spot in XI.

I think, you including most here have failed to notice the obvious one. Ever since he had made the come back Mohammad Hafeez looks to be totally different player - more responsible, commited, focused & most importantly performing beyond expectations, albeit in UAE (but that can be hold against most PAK players).

I do think, they are giving a serious thoughts on this. Test team has nothing to do with WC & Asad probably would have been leading PAK in NZ Test by now, had Sarfraz not saved his career for the time being, at Abu Dhabi; but I am looking into ODI situation- 7 months before WC & Sarfraz has 8 acid tests against two good sides. He has to perform both as a player & Captain in these 8 games, otherwise I do believe PAK will be led by a different captain in WC. I expect PCB to stick or change captain after SAF & give last 10 ODI as WC preparation rather than sorting captaincy issues. Also, if he can survive till end of SAF, I belive AUS in UAE will not be that tough to keep his job - even if it goes wrong, it’ll indeed be too close to WC (to change Captain).

For T20, he is quite safe. He is leading well, team is performing and T20 is a format, where you can hide a specialist WK-Captain. In last 6 games, Sarfraz could have avoided batting (did decent in one of the outings), he is fit enough to keep for 20 overs without costing much and team is responding in his style for T20 at least. I belive, he is safe till 2020 WC. But, if he is sacked from the longer formats, I think he’ll be out of XI as well. And, by the grace of All Mighty, Umar Akmal has irritated everyone in PAK cricket, including PP & these 3 members of advisors, otherwise Hafeez Captain & Umar back in team was a realistic chance in WC.

Not only Mohsin, I am sure Wasim will be against a WK captain in 3 formats, at this age, fitness & individual performance level. My other two candidates here are Asad & Hafeez (not the small town guy) - don’t see any reason why Misbah should oppose the change?

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

This guy and his cricket committee has lost it.

Our ex-cricketers are so insecure. Lol!

 

[DRsohail]

Butt is not educated (can speak in English for A level backgrounds), neither civilised, nor street hustler, and his past is too muddy for IK to recommend him (even if I believe PAK PM has the time for this). For Shan, I actually wrote few days back that had he been a little better cricketer, he should have been a deputy of Test side at least. Making him Captain will be again similar type mistake - appointing a specialist Captain, who doesnÂ’t merit a regular spot in XI.

I think, you including most here have failed to notice the obvious one. Ever since he had made the come back Mohammad Hafeez looks to be totally different player - more responsible, commited, focused & most importantly performing beyond expectations, albeit in UAE (but that can be hold against most PAK players).

I do think, they are giving a serious thoughts on this. Test team has nothing to do with WC & Asad probably would have been leading PAK in NZ Test by now, had Sarfraz not saved his career for the time being, at Abu Dhabi; but I am looking into ODI situation- 7 months before WC & Sarfraz has 8 acid tests against two good sides. He has to perform both as a player & Captain in these 8 games, otherwise I do believe PAK will be led by a different captain in WC. I expect PCB to stick or change captain after SAF & give last 10 ODI as WC preparation rather than sorting captaincy issues. Also, if he can survive till end of SAF, I belive AUS in UAE will not be that tough to keep his job - even if it goes wrong, itÂ’ll indeed be too close to WC (to change Captain).

For T20, he is quite safe. He is leading well, team is performing and T20 is a format, where you can hide a specialist WK-Captain. In last 6 games, Sarfraz could have avoided batting (did decent in one of the outings), he is fit enough to keep for 20 overs without costing much and team is responding in his style for T20 at least. I belive, he is safe till 2020 WC. But, if he is sacked from the longer formats, I think heÂ’ll be out of XI as well. And, by the grace of All Mighty, Umar Akmal has irritated everyone in PAK cricket, including PP & these 3 members of advisors, otherwise Hafeez Captain & Umar back in team was a realistic chance in WC.

Not only Mohsin, I am sure Wasim will be against a WK captain in 3 formats, at this age, fitness & individual performance level. My other two candidates here are Asad & Hafeez (not the small town guy) - donÂ’t see any reason why Misbah should oppose the change?

Hafiz for Odi and Asad for tests would not be bad.

 

[Pete Rose]

Awesome stability Mani sb.
‘I have outsourced my brain to the committee, so I am incapable of taking a stance on anything’

 

[xbox]

Feeling I have that this has more to do with Mickey than Sarfaraz. My gut feeling says that currrent board management thinks Mickey is completely influencing Sarfaraz and he is basically just a puppet. Which I don't agree with I think both Sarfaraz and Mickey has something common which is the passion and the emotion they play with. Board is worried about having these 2 together and power they have. Which is total crap I think it is very important that there is some stabiility and continuity in all formats. I am sure removing Sarfaraz from one format will not go well with Mickey and that is where dominos effct starts. There are no players issues so board starting one on their own and it all has to do with power.

 

[Chokli]

How on earth can you even say soeething like this so close the world cup? These dinosaurs have lost it. Mohsin khan is inept.

Agreed, this is ridiculous.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Awesome stability Mani sb.
‘I have outsourced my brain to the committee, so I am incapable of taking a stance on anything’

Handing out paychecks.

 

[MMHS]

Hafiz for Odi and Asad for tests would not be bad.

Nothing personal against/for anyone here - I have written enough for "MoHa", but the guy is a resilient survivor, respect has to be shown where it's due.

You should have noticed that every time I have written that PAK team needs a bowling Captain, at least someone who knows the bowling psyche, because the team strives on bowlers to deliver. If it has to be a specialist captain, better be someone who knows the ins & outs of bowling - also, there is not a single outstanding batsman who can raise his batting game, being the leader of a poor batting unit. Without bowlers firing, PAK is not going to make the SF cut in WC for sure and the toughest job in cricket is to be a batting captain for a struggling side. If Sarfraz has to survive, he'll have to perform considering Hafeez's availability and Rizwan's emergence - don't care much about team's W/L, because Hafeez (or Amir or Shadab or Babar ...) as Captain, isn't going to change things over night, but Captain can't be there as Captain only. Asad is a worse choice, but they have made him Deputy, can't help - if not Sarfraz, has to be Asad.

I don't think, NZ series should be the decider here, even if PAK goes for 0-3, 0-3 - Sarfraz MUST take team to SAF. Reason is the way things happen in PCB - PAK is in a run of 0-8 against decent teams in ODI & more than half of those were one sided contest, which suggests it's overall the team is weak (a non performing captain does put a heavy baggage, because he is also a vital part of a 11 pieces machine), therefore changing Captain won't change the fortune dramatically. But, what might happen (if a new Captain replaces Sarfraz), considering this being a WC year & ODI's are in next year's budget (for racial quota), SAF might play their full or almost full squad against PAK - another 4-1 or 5-0 and PCB might sack the incumbent immediately to bring back Sarfraz!!!!!!!!

Sarfraz should be given unconditional 8 games, with may be Hafeez or Babar (or Amir, still say that) as deputy - after SAF tour, take a conscious call (even 0-5 doesn't mean Sarfraz has to be sacked if his individual performance is acceptable), and stick to that till end of WC.

 

[DRsohail]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] agreed except one point that you are showing such confidence in Rizwan which for me is better than Sarafraz as a keeper but batted like a tailender against decent oppositions.

 

[MMHS]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] agreed except one point that you are showing such confidence in Rizwan which for me is better than Sarafraz as a keeper but batted like a tailender against decent oppositions.

Is Sarfraz batting better?

Rizwan played one series (2 actually - against WIN in UAE, but that series every time he came in dead end of the game, scores were 11 RO (12), 6* (4) & 4 (3) - batting at #7, #6 & #6)) against AUS, in AUS where he indeed played like No. 10, which has bought his stats to 29/89 level and he was dropped, as expected.

But, in his first 17 games, his stats were 35/94 - more than acceptable for me, for such a wonderful fielder (or decent WK). Against decent opponents, PAK is running at 0-8, therefore using that filter is a bit risky - without Malik, that range of decent opponents could have gone down to couple of ranks lower. Recently, has done remarkably well against quite a decent Kiwi back-up attack.

If not Rizwan, then there has to be someone as back-up for sure. At this fitness level, UAkmal is not an option for ODI keeping.

 

[Snowflake]

What a poor start to the term for Mani. Such a ridiculous statement to give at this time.

 

[srh]

We all know Sarfraz is a failure as test captain, he has taken the test team to new lows after Misbah took Pakistan test team to #1, so why some of you still want him as test captain? baffles my mind

 

[hailian]

Sarfarz is doing fine as a captain and should be nominated our captain for WC 19 even. Sethi mentioned this before. not sure why Mani is hesitant.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

We all know Sarfraz is a failure as test captain, he has taken the test team to new lows after Misbah took Pakistan test team to #1, so why some of you still want him as test captain? baffles my mind

Such a poor post.

Misbah left us with a team ranked number 6 in tests while he had the services of Pakistan's best ever player of spin Younis Khan.
And now we are number 7 with a young team so dont know where this 'new lows' came from?

Sarfraz as captain till now in tests:

3 wins
3 loses
1 draw

and series wise:

2 series wins
1 series loss
and 1 drawn series

Amazing 'new lows', lol!

Ay munafiqat aur jhoot bas tera he aasra hai

 

[NA]

Sarfarz can be relieved as test captain as he hasn’t been great with gloves or batting in tests forget about the captaincy.

He was great with both glove and his batting, in addition to the captaincy, in the most recent test match - a victory against Australia. Sarfraz could have been man of the match, if not for Abbas' two 5ers in the same game.

 

[DRsohail]

He was great with both glove and his batting, in addition to the captaincy, in the most recent test match - a victory against Australia. Sarfraz could have been man of the match, if not for Abbas' two 5ers in the same game.

can you please elaborate how was he great with the gloves? And please share his batting average as a captain in tests?

 

[sali]

Pakistan and PCB do not like stability. If a senior player (Hafeez or Azhar?) is made captain to relieve Sarfraz from heavy load then it means there is another keeper coming in the test team. Why not just give him two years and let him learn? Any senior player will need to be replaced within couple of years anyway.

 

[Abdullah719]

Mani unsure about Sarfraz Ahmed’s future as Pakistan captain

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani has said that he hasn’t made any decision regarding Sarfraz Ahmed’s future as captain ahead of the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019 in England. Talking to media here, the PCB chairman said that he would take into account cricket committee’s suggestion in this regard. “We haven’t made any decision regarding Sarfraz’s future as a captain in World Cup 2019. However, we will review all the suggestions made by the cricket committee in this regard,” said Mani – who was the chief guest of Quaid-e-Azam One-day Cup final. Mani also dismissed rumours to hand over the Test captaincy to Azhar Ali by saying: “Azhar’s decision to retire from the limited overs was totally his personal decision and this impression is wrong that he made this decision to get Test captaincy.”

The Champions Trophy winning squad member, Azhar Ali, on November 1 announced his retirement from One-day Internationals and T20Is citing career progression in Test cricket. Meanwhile, commenting on Malik Mohammad Qayyum report he said the talks on the report were out of context as it did not bar Wasim Akram from working as PCB official. “Unfortunately, the discussions on the report were out of context. It never barred Wasim Akram from bearing any office or post,” he said. Mani also told that they were making a policy of holding dual posts. “We are making a policy for dual posts. Contracts that were signed by our coaches and officials cannot be overturned or finished overnight,” he said.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/318974/mani-unsure-about-sarfraz-ahmeds-future-as-pakistan-captain/

 

[cricketAXEpert]

I have a horrible feeling that Imran Khan sees Sarfraz Ahmed as a reincarnation of Javed Miandad - an uncivilised streetwise hustler.

And he would prefer instead to have an educated patrician leader in his own image.

Which means one of two men, neither of whom should even be in the team.

Shan Masood or Salman Butt.

I did want Butt as a short-term stopgap in Australia two years ago. But to me now the future is Fakhar Zaman and Imam opening.

I actually think the alternative is to go down a generation for the skipper - Babar Azam or Shadab Khan.

Shan Masood? seriously he can't even hold a place in the side. As for Miandad, Imran Khan backed him as a skipper in his own absence & after him. And these days Miandad is a big time PTI supporter. Only reason Sarfraz is under the lens is his performance as a captain in the Asia Cup, he made a few blunders & let the opposition of the hook. Plus there is a case of Mohd Rizwan performing really well and they might want to give him a chance as well Because as long as Sarfraz is the Skipper (Rizwan cannot play ). But this is just speculation started by Mohsin Khan. Dont think Sarfraz is going anywhere at the moment however what happens in South Africa is going to have an impact.

 

[Oneking]

Please sack Sarfi, please. I want to know who is going to lead us in South Africa and against Australia.
As big time Saefraz supporter I hope they sack him and than go crawling.
Pcb never learns if it ain’t broken don’t fix it.

 

[Zaz]

These are terrible public statements Whatever they may think in private surely any chairman board etc of competence should be backing the skipper in public

Mani so far has been a really poor appointment

 

[mastersaan10]

and the circus begins again. there are Donald trumps everywhere these days. I am not sarfraz's supporter but this is the last thing a sane person says some months before a World Cup. I think it has come time to part ways with supporting Pakistan cricket.

 

[Syed1]

Pakistan cricket in serious need of some of that delicious experience .. time is ripe for Afridi to return. How about that 15th unretirement eh?

 

[Syed1]

Ehsan Mani is easily the worst decision of IK government even worse than negotiating with rabid mullahs

 

[ilsbird]

what kind of stupid chairman is this? When your team currently looks a bit stable, gelling well and performing good, why make such comments like this to add pressure on your captain. I can already see this a game plan and strategy in sacking Sarfaraz Ahmed as captain, this just adds more pressure on him when you have tough series coming up against NZL, SAF and ENG before the world cup. And God for bid if he loses one series, the first one to be sacked will be him. Honestly, these are the things that irritate me as a overseas Pakistani, new guy new gov brings its people. I am fine with that, as thats how the country operates, but when you have someone doing a decent job why disturb him to bring in a Khan captain. Whether its Imran Khan or any other politicians, there all the same in the end, a POLITICIAN. Not a big fan of the last government also but at least Sethi had things under control. God help Pakistan and its people in this culture.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Mani is not fit for purpose.