Sarfaraz Ahmed to continue as skipper, Babar Azam named vice-captain for Sri Lanka series – Sport

Sarfaraz Ahmed, the wicket beater, has been retained as captain of Pakistan, while Babar Azam has been named vice-captain of the local series against Sri Lanka, according to a press release from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

According to the press release, "the announcement was made after the president of PCB, Ehsan Mani, confirmed the recommendations made by Misbahul Haq, the head coach and head coach, and the PCB Cricket Committee."

“I feel honored and honored to have received an extension of my captaincy mandate. I enjoyed captaining the Pakistan cricket team and I hope to improve my leadership qualities under the new configuration of Misbahul Haq, which also has a proven record as captain, "said Sarfaraz.

“I have played most of my cricket with Misbah and we know each other quite well. "I think we will make a good combination, which will help improve side performance in all formats," the pattern added.

Sarfaraz acknowledged that the side of the limited limits had worked below average lately.

“I am aware that we have not done justice to our potential in ODI, which has left us and our disappointed fans. I hope we can change things in the next season and, in this sense, I remain committed to face the challenge with my performances and captaincy.

“I have full faith in my team, which has shown time and again the talent, class and charisma it possesses. The only thing missing is consistency, in which Misbah and I would like to focus and improve in all departments of the game. I assure all our fans that we will not leave any stone unturned in our preparations for the next tasks and we will do our best to translate these preparations into solid performances, ”he said.

From the extension of Sarfaraz's mandate and the appointment of Babar Azam, the PCB president expressed his confidence that the two will bring laurels aside.

“Sarfaraz is an experienced activist who has stood out and improved as a leader in every game. I have full faith in his abilities and I am sure he will continue to bloom under Misbah's wings.

"We have appointed Babar Azam as the vice-captain of Sarfaraz. This is part of Babar's gradual development as a future captain and in line with our strategy of introducing a succession plan in all areas so that there are no gaps. I hope that at Misbah's trio, Sarfaraz and Babar do well in Pakistan's cricket, ”said Mani.

Misbahul Haq, in giving his opinion on the national team, said that since he knows Sarfaraz well, he believes he can make the most of his skill set and that Babar will prove to be the right man by his side.

“I want to congratulate Sarfaraz for his confirmation as captain of Pakistan and Babar for his appointment as vice captain. Both are one of Pakistan's most talented and exceptionally gifted cricketers and fully deserve these tasks, "said the coach.

“Consistency backed by good performance has been my criteria to recommend Sarfaraz as captain. Also, I think I'm better able to get the best out of Sarfaraz, since I know him better than most cricketers, since he has played most of his cricket under my captaincy. I've always been an admirer of his commitment and the energy he brings to the side, "he added.

“I have emphasized changing the costume culture and the mentality of the players to achieve better results, and I think Sarfaraz is the perfect option to help me achieve these goals.

“In the last two weeks, Sarfaraz and I have worked together in certain areas of his cricket that will improve his overall performance. We both realize that it is a performance-oriented world and we are expected to give our best every time we go out to the field. I look forward to working with him and I hope we succeed in changing the perspective of Pakistan's cricket team, "said Misbah.

& # 39; Sri Lanka is committed to touring Pakistan & # 39;

The president of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ehsan Mani, calmed concerns that the Sri Lankan team would withdraw from the next tour one day after Sri Lanka Cricket reported receiving "warnings" of a terrorist offer , saying that the team "promised to come here."

"Our talks with the Sri Lankan board are ongoing. There have been no negative comments from them; they are just talking to [their] Government for final authorization. They have not told us more than this, "the PCB president said Friday during a press conference.

"And they have not said at all that they will not come. So we have full confidence that they will come and, God willing, all the matches will take place in Pakistan," Mani said.

"Regarding the speculation that they are sending a" second chain "team, the selection of the team is a prerogative of the local team. For me, the important thing is that the international matches take place in Pakistan. committed to come here. " stressed

The list of 19 odds for the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka will be announced on Monday. The camp will begin at the National Cricket Academy starting Wednesday, September 18.

The final teams of 16 ODI and T20I players will be named on September 23.