LAHORE: There were no surprises after all. As widely expected, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Azhar Ali as captain of the One-day International team with Sarfraz Ahmed as his deputy while Haroon Rasheed replaced Moin Khan as chief selector.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan announced the decisions at a news conference here on Monday flanked by the new ODI captain and the new chief selector.

Top-order batsman Azhar, 30, was also named the Test vice-captain with the man who he replaced as Pakistan’s ODI captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, leading the team in the longest format of the game.

Misbah had announced his retirement from ODIs prior to the World Cup where Pakistan exited in the quarter-finals stage to eventual champions Australia.

Shahid Afridi, who also retired from ODIs after the World Cup, will remain Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain with wicket-keeper/batsman Sarfraz also being named his deputy in the shortest format of the game.

As chief selector, Haroon had to resign from his current post of Director Game Development, and will head the three-member selection committee which will have Saleem Jaffar, Azhar Khan and Kabir Khan as its members.

The first meeting of the selection committee has been conveyed for Wednesday.

“The appointments have been made for the time being and there is no specific time frame set for them,” Shaharyar informed.

“Constitutionally, I have the authority to name the captain so I picked Azhar after consulting former captains, including Misbah, former cricketers and former chairmen.

“During my consultations, a majority of those people put their weight behind Azhar. We need to build a team and we will not consider any individual or group important. We will be focused on discipline, spirit, fitness and unity and no personal agenda.”

Azhar, a regular in the Test side, played the last of his 14 ODIs over two years ago and wasn’t a part of the Pakistan squad at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Shaharyar, however, insisted that the PCB was impressed by his acumen in the recent limited-overs Pentangular Cup.

“In view of his character, leadership and team spirit, the decision has been made to make Azhar new ODI captain,” he said. “We know he wasn’t in the World Cup team, but he did a fantastic captaincy in the Pentangular Cup where he also delivered with the bat.”

The PCB chief also praised the contributions made by Misbah, Afridi and veteran batsman Younis Khan over the years.

“As both Misbah and Afridi are still with us, therefore, we will not be organising a big farewell function in their honour, but at a small one to pay tribute for their wonderful contribution to Pakistan in ODIs,” he said.

“Although Younis has not announced his retirement, he remains a real role model for youngsters with his conduct.”

Shaharyar admitted Pakistan were lacking in fitness at the World Cup but praised the bowling attack and said “[head-coach] Waqar Younis deserves credit for that”.

While the PCB remains mum over the fate of Waqar or his coaching staff, including spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed, batting coach Grant Flower of fielding trainer Grant Luden — who according to sources has been convinced to say despite tendering his resignation prior to the World Cup, Moin’s fate has been sealed.

Almost all the members of the new selection committee were picked by Moin, who drew the ire of Pakistan fans for visiting a casino during the World Cup despite Pakistan’s back-to-back defeats in their opening two matches, but he remains the fall guy for the team’s struggles Down Under.

Shaharyar admitted Moin “wasn’t happy with the decision” but said it was “time to move forward”. Former Test batsman Haroon will now lead the selection committee to which Shaharyar said the captain and the coach can only give suggestions to as the PCB hopes to make the body independent.

Although Shaharyar said he wanted to induct young people in the selection committee who have an understanding of modern cricket, only former Afghanistan coach Kabir (40 years) can be termed “young” with Haroon (60), Saleem (52) and Azhar (58) all being above 50.

“I’ve known the other members of the selection committee,” Shaharyar said. “A lot of support was thrown behind Kabir as he played a vital role into turn Afghanistan into an international side [during his time as coach].

“With series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, England and India this year, we’ll have an ample chance to test the new setup.”

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2015

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