‘Azhar retained as ODI skipper for WI series’

E-Paper | May 31, 2026

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has once again put its faith in Azhar Ali’s leadership as the right-handed batsman has been retained as ODI skipper for the series against the West Indies in the UAE.

The three-match series starts on Sept 30 in Sharjah.

Azhar’s captaincy came under scrutiny following his side’s 1-4 series thrashing in England this summer, with rumours suggesting that the 31-year-old would either resign or would be removed as the leader in the 50-over format.

Read: Wasim Akram wants Azhar Ali to remain ODI captain

Earlier, PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had also said that they would discuss Azhar’s position as the captain of the ODI side once the team returns back home.

The PCB official, however, confirmed that nothing is going to change and Azhar would continue to lead the team against the Caribbean side, the ANI news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Hafeez, who is still struggling with his fitness, has been dropped from the 22-member preliminary list handed to the PCB by former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq led selection committee.

Read: Azhar Ali – waiting to join elite group of ‘sacked’ men

Test opener Sami Aslam and veteran paceman Umar Gul have also failed to make it to the preliminary list, following their poor performance against England in the ODI series while Umar Akmal and young left-arm pacer Rumman Raees have been included in the list.

In contrast, fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan, who bowled just five overs after replacing Hafeez on the England tour, has been named in the 22-man squad.

Besides ODIs, Pakistan will also play three T20s and three Tests against the West Indies in the UAE.

Published in Dawn September 17th, 2016

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CricFan

Sep 17, 2016 11:32am

Another disaster in making! Politics at its zenith!

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Shoaib

Sep 17, 2016 11:54am

I think this series should be his final test case. We cant afford to be relegated from WC just because we want to give Azhar more time

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Sep 17, 2016 12:06pm

The guy who don't deserve to be in the ODI team is made captain. He is a good test batsman, PCB should keep it that way.

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fahd

Sep 17, 2016 12:08pm

bring ajmal back or the WI series. UAE pitches are spin friendly and WI batsmen are not good at playing spinners.

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sheryaar

Sep 17, 2016 12:27pm

not only politicians but even cricketers are now not ready to loose their seats.. shame on Azhar Ali. after humiliating defeat he is still talking as if nothing happened !!

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Hyder

Sep 17, 2016 12:33pm

Sir They will change the captain when Pakistan will fail to qualify for next world cup and will have to play qualifying tournament with minnows!!! Thanks

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Abdul Wahab

Sep 17, 2016 12:36pm

"The PCB official, however, confirmed that nothing is going to change and Azhar would continue to lead the team against the Caribbean side, the ANI news agency reported." This is incredibly correct statement, NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE, the poor captain will keep performing poorly. What is incredulous is the obvious cannot be seen by our blind board as Azhar is not a person for the job, let alone he is not a player fit for the modern ODI, T20 games.

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Abdul Wahab

Sep 17, 2016 12:36pm

@ZB He is a mediocre test batsmen.

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umar khalil

Sep 17, 2016 12:43pm

Excellent decision by the pcb. no other country changes captains as regularly as we do. Srilanka is one example, they were thrashed by england in tests and odi's but they sticked to their captain. similarly australia were embarassed in srilanka after being defeated 3-0 in the test series. There was no hue and cry to change the captain. Azhar Ali is the best choice at the moment and we should back him. Our public thinks of cricket as baseball. Not every ball in cricket is a striker, Azhar's role is to anchor the innnings. He played very well in england. Good luck team Pakistan!

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Syed Abbas

Sep 17, 2016 12:55pm

Yeah you should wait until we don't qualify for World Cup. He is best suited person to achieve that.

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nasir siddique

Sep 17, 2016 01:05pm

We need to give more time. We say the same about each captain. Remember Misbah. He is not the reasin we are so low. World won't end if we have to qualify. We need stability and continuity and let the youngster gel into a team.

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khan idris

Sep 17, 2016 02:02pm

azhar ali does not deserve a place in one day game,he should be sacked.

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Adnan

Sep 17, 2016 02:35pm

Wow..Azhar Ali is lucky to get one more chance. Lets hope he will show positive results and workhard to get all critics shutup with his performance. I am Not his fan at all but just thinking positive.

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Qaisar

Sep 17, 2016 02:58pm

Height of nepotism and corruption. They dont select tried and tested best for the job. Shame on PCB.

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ABL

Sep 17, 2016 02:59pm

Right decision! We don't need knee-jerk reaction. But, keep close monitoring and assess his ability as skipper during this tour.

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Shazad

Sep 17, 2016 03:17pm

@umar khalil: No country in the world makes someone captain of ODI in 2015 when that person has not even qualified to get included in ODI team (on merit or on Parchi) from 2012 onward. He was made Captain, just to keep Sarfraz away from Captaincy and thus fulfill the desire of players who were never serious with Pakistan. Azhar record is that, he captained 8 series, won 3 and that also against ... Zimbabwe, Sri-Lanka and Ireland. On the other hand, win or lose is not that important (team is as good as players in the team). Most important is how well a Captain led his side on ground, and in this department Azhar was always slack and lay back. He does not have that personality to lead or impose himself over team mates he is supposed to lead.

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Shahid

Sep 17, 2016 03:27pm

PCB sees Azhar as a future captain of our test team so he must stay as captain of ODIs and learn the trade.

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Fayzee

Sep 17, 2016 03:45pm

Nothing but politics!! These OLD people can do nothing but politics.. Good bye Pakistan cricket..

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Fez

Sep 17, 2016 04:16pm

@umar khalil Very very well said, sir. Many Pakistan spectators know little about the game and treat it like baseball. Azhar Ali is a good choice for now and he has been giving handy contributions at the top of the order. Misbah was made a villain a few years back and now look what the same people are saying. I guess they forget most of his success was down to the legendary Younis Khan. Again, ignorance on the fans part, which can have a bad effect.

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Tehseenullah

Sep 17, 2016 04:16pm

I 100% believe he will be removed after ODI series because he isn't fit to lead the PAK team, and the PCB cannot take decision at time, it proved since day 1.

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Mudassar

Sep 17, 2016 04:33pm

""Oh No. Not again""

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Najib

Sep 17, 2016 04:51pm

Azhar is Misbah's guy and follow his conservative, very defensive outdated approach which maybe good for test matches but certainly not for ODI and T20. Azhar doesn't have that modern aggressive approach to winning games, leaving aside his ordinary personality lacking charisma. Shame that he didn't leave himself and on PCB for doing politics by not bringing Safraz as captain.

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Najib

Sep 17, 2016 04:54pm

Also fail to understand why we are having 3 different captains for three different formats. Safraz should be ODI captain as well so he spend more time with the guys and polish his understanding and leadership skills with the team quickly and better.

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Sufi

Sep 17, 2016 04:59pm

It's so sad to see Pakistan continue to slide as a ODI team. It just shows you that there's no talent coming through . ODI game has changed fundamentally but Pakistan has not responded even Bangladesh has moved on and improve, a team we would not dream of losing to in the past.

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Ilias from NL

Sep 17, 2016 05:10pm

My golden advice to Mr. Azhar to keep going himself as a skipper of green is: 1) MAKE MAX USE OF FIRST 10 OVERS TO BUILD GOOD SCORE 2) AVOID DOT BALLS AS MUCH AS YOU CAN 3) KEEP SHARP EYE ON YOUR BOWLING SPELL AND PLAYERS POSITIONING IN THE FIELD. I hope everything would be fine, don't you ;)

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Ahmed

Sep 17, 2016 05:22pm

His main issue is his 90s mindset..he seems to be happy with 250 score which is below par in today's cricket Has his mindset drastically changed? Azhars, hafeezs and maliks should not be in the team if we want to build a killer team...

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Ahsan

Sep 17, 2016 05:24pm

Disappointing....

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Shdhsn

Sep 17, 2016 05:41pm

We should look at the performance of the entire team, why there is a rush to bring a new captain? Is he the only one not performing well?

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Safdar

Sep 17, 2016 05:50pm

So another whitewash is on cards...

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Qamar

Sep 17, 2016 06:25pm

PCB should drop pacer Irfan, he is of no use. He gets injuries in every innings. Let us have a new find.

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Chatni

Sep 17, 2016 06:39pm

@Shdhsn because captain inspires and sets direction for the team. When Azhar gets out early without consuming balls, his team wins. Look how inspiring he is in the field? How he creates opertunities by always attacking and smartness. He also has a say in playing eleven. You have to outsmart opposition. Buck stops at the captain... I truly believe he is an average test batsman and is not at all a modern innovative captain..

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Zaq

Sep 17, 2016 06:42pm

the person who can not do self assessment how can run the whole team , he is a club level player

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Waseem Sarwar

Sep 17, 2016 07:17pm

It's not that Azhar has a team full of talent at his behest and true leaders are identified in close matches like Dhoni and Mathews have done for their teams. Pakistan have lost most games comprehensibly and Azhar has played his part as a batsman decently. I would trust Micky Arthur as he is backing Azhar. You have my support skipper. Go and win us some matches.

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Joshua

Sep 17, 2016 07:24pm

With Azhar retained as captain of ODI, Pakistan will loose the series either 3-0 or 2-1

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Shakeel Ahmed

Sep 17, 2016 07:36pm

Well done Azhar Ali. You are a dependable batsman and you can hit well too. Pakistan needs one batsman of your calibre especially when the wickets are tumbling. The onus should be on the other younger up and coming batsmen chosen to attack and score runs trained for the job. But not the Afridi types - one in a blue moon wonder boys.

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saeeds

Sep 17, 2016 07:43pm

Good luck show your best. Enough with left arm pacer don't we have any right arm decent pacer for change.

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Pakfan

Sep 17, 2016 07:56pm

Why captain for only WI series. He should be given captaincy for NZ and Aus series also. At least that way he won't be under pressure to improve teams odi ranking for next WC qualification. By the way any one knows Azhar's win/loss ratio as a captain.

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J. Gamble

Sep 17, 2016 07:59pm

As far as Azhar is concened, I support PCB's decision. I think Umar Gul should have been included, and Irfan excluded.

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LOUDSPEAKER

Sep 17, 2016 08:06pm

@Abdul Wahab Who in your opinion is the most accomplished batsman in the Pakistan team?

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Omar Hayat

Sep 17, 2016 08:10pm

Countries out shining in every field has this simple method they bring the mostly talented in front and we are absolutely opposite look at where we are now

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sahil

Sep 17, 2016 08:17pm

Team seemed to hve improved in the odis against eng as the series progressed however certain chnges seemed a necessity one being the removal of the captain as he lacks agression sarfraz or babar should b handed the captaincy asad should b tried in odis too the management sees azhar as a new misbah some1 they can depend upon who can play the complete 50 overs even if his strike rate is below 80/70 asad on the other hand will surely provide them with the faith n is the most sound batsmen out of the lot rt now he should open with sharjeel haris babar sarfraz n umer to follow imad nawaz/amir yamin as per the conditions amir junaid n hasan ali as quicks...with malik rizwan wahab maqsood tabish khan warming the bench

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LOUDSPEAKER

Sep 17, 2016 08:25pm

Shehriyar Khan's unnecessary hint about changing the ODI captain has opened a new controversial debate on this issue. Now it looks the PCB big boss is under pressure from various groups to retain Azhar as Pakistan ODI captain. I personally would like to support the idea of contnuing with Azhar for at least one more series.

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Fez

Sep 17, 2016 08:51pm

@Omar Hayat This question can be asked to mr inzamam. He picked Umar Gul, and dropped Junaid Khan. Can someone please justify why he is not being picked, he moves the ball more than Amir I can tell you that much for free.

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Shakil USA

Sep 17, 2016 09:26pm

After humiliating defeat against England still our selector have did not leant any lesson. Azhar is great test player and did not belongs to ODI just that simple. We should be looking to rebuild ODI team to compete in future venue.

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Nasir

Sep 17, 2016 09:43pm

It seems that both Azhar and PCB fail to make logical decisions.

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T.M.Wazir

Sep 17, 2016 11:08pm

It it very important who is the captain of the team but in this case It doesn't really matter who is the captain because, Pakistan cricket is not there to win against west Indies but they are there to practice and make west Indies wins the series. Well, miracles do happen and I wish Pakistan good luck.

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REVERSESWING

Sep 17, 2016 11:10pm

@Abdul Wahab I don't know the reason why people are so much against Azhar. The main problem is we are very crazy , we always look for quick results. Based on his recent ODI batting performance, I don't think that he deserve this kind of criticism. Give him some space and reasonable time to settle in as skipper. After all we have tolerated Intiqab Alam as captain for so many years even in the presence of stalwarts like Hanif Mohammad and Saeed Ahmed.

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shami

Sep 17, 2016 11:19pm

Shame on PCB. Azhar was the main reason for loosing one day series. He is not a one day batsman and should not be even in the team let alone as captain. Disgrace and pathetic. I went to watch matches with family, but will not go again to support until he is a captain.

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REVERSESWING

Sep 17, 2016 11:22pm

@Shakil USA Please go through the detail Statistics of our recently concluded ODI series against England therein you 'll find our poor bowling peformance is the main cause of our humiliating defeat.

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Yak

Sep 17, 2016 11:35pm

Pakistan get ready to be blown away by 8th ranked windies. It was worst decisions on its onset when Azhar ali from nowhere part of odi team became part of team and also the captain and result disaster. Then only a series win against struggling Lanka and 8 straight losses to English side and 1 win after it. This is going to push Pakistan team to 2nd tier team. Suicide mission.

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Abdullah

Sep 17, 2016 11:37pm

...so I guess if we qualify for WC we will be in a position to win it? Not qualifying simply means we will be saved from a lot of embarrassmrnt

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Yankee

Sep 17, 2016 11:41pm

The "El Capitan" should be an attacking guy and we saw what sarfraz did against the might of Buttler, Root, Morgan, Stokes, Roy and Hales in 1 t20. He acted not reacted and field placing were amazing. After a good start English team were unable to score 3 4 boundaries. That is the captaincy stuff we want and need. Imran Khan has vociferously endorsed Sarfraz as the odi captain but alas alas alas when our selectors are going to realize. Waqar Younus benched him untill Pakistan were going out of the World cup in first round and now the PCB will not appoint him captain untill Pakistan is dropped to 2nd tier club.

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Abdul Ghani Yousaf - France

Sep 17, 2016 11:43pm

Disaster in Pak cricket in naming Azhar ali as captain this is political decision, he have no place as team member in ODI.

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Yankee

Sep 17, 2016 11:47pm

Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman could have been captain of Pakistan team but not India. They promoted an attacking guy Dhoni and see the results. Captain should be an attacking person leading from the front. Azhar Ali without any disrespect to him is not captaincy material. In this era of fast and aggressive cricket we need attacking captain and Sarfraz is the one and in future maybe babar Azam.

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Abdullah Basit UK

Sep 18, 2016 12:14am

Oh no Sir great injustice to Pak ODI team and with Azhar he does not deserve after loosing 1-4 against England.

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Talib Surti

Sep 18, 2016 12:57am

PCB management is biased and do not like Pakistan succeed. Actually, when Misbah stepped down as Captain, it was supposed to be Sarfraz next. Discrimination and nepotism kept him out of captaincy, even though he captained 1 ODI and won. Still, PCB called Azhar, who was not even in team.They could have said then, that Sarfraz has captained and won, so let him keep captaincy for 30 to 40 games, but they did not.Sarfraz plays for country unlike most other Pakistani players. His 90 runs in 73 balls gave Pakistan victory in 5th ODI. If Sarfraz was like some other Pakistani players playing politics on field, than he would have slowed his run rate. If he had done so than Pakistan would have lost, giving England 5:0 victory. But then Sarfraz is selfless player, and that is the reason he scored heavily (300 runs in 5 ODIs) at an ave of 60 and SR ~100. He was only Pakistani who made century in 5 ODIs (plus 2 fifties). Sorry West Indies will win 0-3 with Azhar ali poor captaincy.

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Ahmad ali Naqvi USA

Sep 18, 2016 02:40am

PCB never played Azhar Ali in one-day until he was promoted to captain and there was no choice. This shows that PCB approach to one-day game is dumb!!! with West Indies whose strike rate are higher than Pak, WI are better equipped in ODI, Azhar ali is not ODI player.

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Dastagir Farooqui Manchester UK

Sep 18, 2016 02:56am

Azhar Ali simple does not fit as ODI opener let alone lead the ODI team. He has not got leadership skills and it is evident for last 20-25 matches so few more will not add suddenly any magic under his belt!! ranking will gone lower like 13.

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Gaffar Pirzada UAE

Sep 18, 2016 03:07am

Azhar never deserved to be the captain at the first place due to his typical conservative, old and defensive (Misbah) era approach. He should be removed immediately and Safraz should be made captain. Afridi and others are opposing him because he is upset that he did so well aganist England. Beside, why we should be having 3 captains for different formats. Safraz should be ODI and T20 cap and Misbah for 5 days - the format which goes with his negative mind set.

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Majid Baluch UK

Sep 18, 2016 03:28am

After 24 25 matches, Azhar could not learn and still making very silly decisions so another three matches will change his abilities ?? He was never selected in the team even, and management made him a captain on his return and it was all politics and we all know about it. Let new people come and let them have experience and a better future of cricket in Pakistan. Please stop supporting Azhar, Shoaib and Hafeez on personal relations and politics, this misfit captain.

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#3Batsman

Sep 18, 2016 11:27am

Most unfortunate! This man never had a place in team and was thrust on us! Look at the results under him. I think PCB wants cricket lovers to stop watching ODIz! Waqar Musbah Hafeez Malik and Azhar have ruined our limited overs formats iver the years and I see continuation of humiliation till the same management is around.

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Fez

Sep 18, 2016 01:11pm

Can anybody please give me a reason why Mohammad Asif is being over looked again and again. He was such a crafty and skilled bowler, it was like magic watching him bowl.

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parveez

Sep 18, 2016 01:29pm

It's a good decision

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Farooq jawed

Sep 18, 2016 03:10pm

On merits alone Azhar Ali shouldn't make the team, let alone the Captain. PCB should take more into consideration than his ability to speak English to make him the leader of young men to represent Pakistan.

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J. Gamble

Sep 18, 2016 06:49pm

Pakistan lost ODI series (1-4) to England not because of Azhar Ali, but overall poor batting, and toothless bowling. What a Captain can do, if the team does not perform?

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LOUDSPEAKER

Sep 19, 2016 06:54am

@Yankee For your info both Tendulkar and Dravid has the distinction of leading India in Tests. The burden of captaincy affected their batting performance and they decided to step down from the captaincy in order to save their cricket career.

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D.K. PAMNANI

Sep 19, 2016 03:35pm

SOME WISE MAN IN PCB HAS TAKEN THIS DECISION, INZAMAN I THINK

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