Javed Miandad: “We need a fresh start with a new face to lead the team”
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Legendary Pakistan batsman Javed Miandad believes that batsman Babar Azam could be the perfect person to replace Sarfraz Ahmed as ODI captain.
There has been a lot of speculation that Sarfraz will be stripped of the captaincy entirely or lead Pakistan in fewer formats.
Following the men in green’s failure to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals, there is a possibility the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could look to someone else to captain the national team in the 50-over format.
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However, while names like Azam, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Hafeez have popped up, Miandad noted that it should be someone who has not already enjoyed their prime.
Azam fits into that category as he is currently 24 and establishing himself as Pakistan’s top batsman.
He excelled during the World Cup as he accumulated 474 runs in eight matches, which included a century and three fifties, at an average of 67.71.
“The PCB must set their priorities straight on how to improve and must decide whether they want to go back or move forward,” Miandad was quoted as saying by the Business Recorder. “We need a fresh start with a new face to lead the team.”
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Agree with Javid, PCB should learn from Australia, India and England, what they have done in recent past. (Steve Smith, Kohli and Root).
I think it would be a good idea to let Azam lead in the limited overs formats and then give him the Test captaincy a little later after he serves as vice-captain for a while.
Why not imad? Skipper should always be an all rounder who can also speak well. A batsman when made captain loses his game.
I think Babar is young and is definitely seen as the future of Pakistan cricket.