The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), in a rather surprising move, has removed skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed as the skipper of the national team in Test format, reported a local media outlet.
Though the name of his successor has not been announced yet, the report said the replacement has been decided.
The PCB — prior to the ICC Test Championship — has decided to remove the cricketer from Test captainship. The 32-year-old Sarfaraz, who has led Pakistan in 13 Test matches to date, of which the team won four and lost eight, currently leads the team in all three formats of the game.
The report adds that PCB’s Cricket Committee will take up the issue in the meeting scheduled next week on Friday in Lahore. It further added that the board might be willing to hand over the job to Shan Masood.
The decision has come just a few days after Sarfaraz said that he wishes to continue as the captain and the final decision lies with PCB. “It’s not that I’m saying I refuse to resign. All I’m saying is the decision rests with the PCB, the same way as the decision to appoint me captain was taken by them. I’m sure they’ll make a decision that’s best for Pakistan,” he told reporters earlier this month.
Sarfaraz has led Pakistan in 13 Tests in which the side has won only four matches and lost eight. The side is currently placed in the 7th position in Test rankings.