“It’s an honour to captain Pakistan in all three formats”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Sarfraz Ahmed will officially lead Pakistan in all three formats after being handed the Test captaincy.

Sarfraz replaces Misbah-ul-Haq, who gave up the leadership role when he announced his retirement after the national team’s tour of the West Indies in May.

The 30-year-old became Twenty20 captain after Shahid Afridi resigned following Pakistan’s disappointing showing at the World Twenty20.

He then took over the ODI captaincy when Azhar Ali stepped down in February this year.

Sarfraz has already achieved a historic feat as captain as he guided Pakistan to their first-ever Champions Trophy title last month.

“I take this opportunity to announce Ahmed as our Test captain in addition to one-day and Twenty20 captain,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan said.

Sarfraz expressed his delight after being named Test captain, and said: “It’s an honour to captain Pakistan in all three formats. Like we have done with ODI and T20 cricket recently, I would like us to improve our Test performances as well. I wish to thank Shahryar Khan for placing his trust in me, and we would like to ask everyone to put their trust in the Pakistan cricket team.”

Sarfraz’s first assignment as Test captain will come in October when Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates. The series will consist of three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals.