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Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan's ODI and T20 captain who led the team to victory in the 2017 Champions Trophy, will now also captain Pakistan's Test team, Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Sheheryar Khan announced on Tuesday.
Addressing a ceremony celebrating Pakistan's Champions Trophy 2017 victory at the Prime Minister's House, Khan congratulated Ahmed and the team before making the announcement.
Ahmed will now captain the Pakistan side in all three formats of the game. He replaces Misbah-ul-Haq, who played his last series in and against West Indies earlier this year.
Addressing the ceremony earlier, Chairman PCB Executive Committee Najam Sethi also claimed that the West Indies and Sri Lankan cricket teams will visit Pakistan after the World XI event in September. "These are not just promises, actual negotiations are underway and you will see the results soon," said Sethi.
PM praises team's performance
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the host of the event, later praised the cricket team's performance in the Champion's Trophy, saying: "You are the real heroes, you are the prime minister [sic], you brought honour home."
He expressed hope that the cricketers sitting in front of him would go on to make history like their predecessors. He also likened the condition of the team after their initial humiliation against arch-rivals India in the first match of the tournament to the condition of the country in 2013, when the PML-N came into power.
He also regaled the audience with cricket stories from his life, remarking at one point that he was more distraught at being refused to play cricket at a ground he frequented in his youth than he had been by the Panamagate JIT.
The prime minister also frequently used cricketing metaphors, seemingly to brush off the mounting political pressure on him. He said he would not tolerate too many bouncers and would send them for fours and sixes whenever he got the chance.
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Comments (93) Closed
Jul 04, 2017 06:26pm
I don't see any leadership quality in Sarfraz. It's just that he is a captain because there is no other choice.
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Jul 04, 2017 06:28pm
What about the Cheque prizes to be distributed among players?
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Jul 04, 2017 06:33pm
@BILAL define leadership quality?
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Jul 04, 2017 06:41pm
@BILAL He devised plans and strategy to win against all top teams, that is leadership! But then biases are not willing to accept any facts!
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Jul 04, 2017 06:43pm
@faisal There is case pending in court regarding prize distribution from tax payers resources.
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Jul 04, 2017 06:43pm
I think Sarfraz is a good luck for team. Where is legendary Muhammad Amir? I could not see him in picture
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Jul 04, 2017 06:44pm
At last PCB respect imran khan vision that we need one captain in all format , today PCB understand cricket and salute to mr imran khan his vision he gave in his speech.
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Jul 04, 2017 06:49pm
@belal seems prejudiced, Sarfraz is delivering what else is needed
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Jul 04, 2017 07:01pm
It is the right decision, Sarfraz has the ability to motivate his team. Please let us not criticise if he looses a match or two in any forth coming series, let him settle and simply maintain your confidence in him.
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Jul 04, 2017 07:02pm
@ADNAN - Muhammad Amir is playing County cricket.
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Jul 04, 2017 07:03pm
His one great attribute is that he is focused and does pump up the team, but test cricket is another domain and may not suit his style of captaincy. Test cricket is still an old form of cricket and requires great patience until the enemy breaks.
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Jul 04, 2017 07:06pm
@BILAL Yeah he doesn't have any ego and he is not a big mouth.
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Jul 04, 2017 07:06pm
@BILAL I don't know what your definition of leadership is but among the reasons why we won the CT was Sarfaraz's leadership
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Jul 04, 2017 07:12pm
@BILAL Your statement is pure and simple bias. Look at what the cricket experts and great international players have said about Sarfaraz's smart and brilliant captaincy. At the least show some national spirit.
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Jul 04, 2017 07:12pm
@BILAL he won under 19 world cup against India and then he won ICC trophy 2017...
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Jul 04, 2017 07:17pm
Fakhar Zaman who made us win the final is at the back.
Ahmed Shahzad the selfie king is front CENTER.
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Jul 04, 2017 07:18pm
Despite winning the CT17. I don't see any leadership qualities in him. It's just a stroke of luck he is riding. Pakistani team need a real leadership
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Jul 04, 2017 07:25pm
I don't understand why Ahmad Shahzad is always on the front of every photograph when he has zero contribution towards anything.
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Jul 04, 2017 07:26pm
Please get rid off Wahab Riaz, he is too expensive. 95% of his deliveries are bouncers, no variation at all. Speed is no everything. Bring in the young talent. We won because of youngsters. Please dont let another 'afiridi/bhaijaan/senior player' linger on with poor performances.
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Jul 04, 2017 07:33pm
This type of recognition is needed in every field .
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Jul 04, 2017 08:00pm
Anyone who takes team to success is a leader otherwise are we going to cook and eat any good leader who just keep loosing.
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Jul 04, 2017 08:08pm
look at Ahmed Shazad settling in even more than front row and in reality poor performer.
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Jul 04, 2017 08:08pm
@BILAL Alas..despite winning two trophies for Pakistan some people have button-eyes and rock-heart. They can't see above their ego or they can't take themselves out of prejudice based on race, religion, and ethnicity. May God bless this team who brought big happiness and smiles on entire Pakistani Nation just before the Eid-ul-Fitr.
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Jul 04, 2017 08:23pm
@Mir, Imran is a total failed person in all fields , utter things without justification and logic he was much critical of Sethi and his brainchild project PSL , which has given Pakistan much needed Talent
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Jul 04, 2017 08:26pm
Where is the coach in the picture?
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Jul 04, 2017 08:34pm
@BILAL Make comments as a Pakistani, and secondly if the team is delivering what's the complaint about!
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Jul 04, 2017 08:48pm
Can't understand why is he made captain? It's just that all of them played well in those matches. I fail to understand PCB to be honest.
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Jul 04, 2017 08:48pm
@BILAL. I hope you followed champions trophy and understand cricket in general. It's only great leadership that can get this result from such a young and inexperienced team. Three debutants for Pakistan in the ct2017 with none of the other team having any debutant during whole of the tournament. On paper, this team was much weaker than 92 world cup winning side.
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Jul 04, 2017 08:48pm
Mr Najam what is your role in building this team
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Jul 04, 2017 09:00pm
@insaafian Leadership quality to him, @Bilal is based on some domicile! Dont worry too much. The world experts are calling that Sarfaraz was better captain than any other captain in CT tournament. He was in fact THE difference between Pakistan and all other teams.
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Jul 04, 2017 09:16pm
Believe it or not; we all must admit that the honorable Victory in Final was the divine way to answer the arrogant behavior of the opponent; Pakistan Cricket should take-off from here and maintain their composure; Good Luck Sarfaraz and Team.
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Jul 04, 2017 09:19pm
What is Ahmed Shahzad doing in this picture?
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Jul 04, 2017 09:33pm
Congrats to Pakistans cricket team. Whilst I'm proud of our team, I wish the PM awarded the cheques from his own pockets. I would prefer my money spent else where promoting the sport.
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Jul 04, 2017 09:34pm
@BILAL You mean to say that a team won the match without a leader. Sarfraz is going to be one of the greatest captains of this country. And one can assert this fact based on few qualities that he possesses, such as:
a) Honesty and integrity in his character
b) Sincerity and selfless love for the country
c) His humbleness
d) Cricketing acumen
e) Quick and correct decision making
Just wait and see. Time will prove it.
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Jul 04, 2017 09:35pm
@BILAL
Is this not a good reason?
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Jul 04, 2017 09:42pm
Great Reception. Pak team deserved it. Sarfaraz best choice among current cricketers for captaincy
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Jul 04, 2017 09:48pm
@BILAL ... He won under 19 championship and now won champion's trophy keeping boys togather. Thats leadership and delivery of what is required.
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Jul 04, 2017 09:49pm
@ADNAN Aamir is currently busy playing county cricket for Essex.
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Jul 04, 2017 10:00pm
Ahmed Shahzad is barely surviving in the team and always trying hard to stay at the front. Take him to last row. You are no Virat Kohli.
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Jul 04, 2017 10:11pm
Must recognize Ahmed Shehzad's contributions to the CT campaign. Had it not been for him, Fakhar Zaman would not have been selected and won it for Pakistan. For that, Ahmed Shahzad deserves the place of honor!!!
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Jul 04, 2017 10:14pm
I really feel surprised not to see the coach in the group photo.
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Jul 04, 2017 10:16pm
Sarfaraz is an inspiring leader. His leadership complements his play and vice versa. Being the Captain in all three formats will enhance his quality of play and leadership and will be synergistic!
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Jul 04, 2017 10:32pm
What made this team successful is that there are no big heroes and egos clashing. I would be worried about Shoib Malik and Hafeez eventually creating issues but they all seems to be jelling nicely. This team has really suffered from coach like Waqar Yonus (no coaching experience) and captainship of Azhar (nice guy in wrong place) and big egos in the team. So much talent has been destroyed during last 10 years because they were not managed properly by PCB or fell to making few bucks on the side. I like the tenacity, honesty and humbleness of Sarfraz. I can see this team going a long way if they can keep their feet on the ground and work as professionals.
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Jul 04, 2017 10:45pm
He was the automatic choice as we have seen what happened when other got the opportunities. We have all seen how Sarfraz captaincy got observed by Pakistani commentators as we heard them discussing and criticizing his captaincy a lot and even almost every over compare to other team captains and even when Azhar Ali was captained (which was the wort decision by PCB) always get easy hands and either our so called experts give blame to pitches or toss or in Azhar Ali case he was still learning. Sarfraz has earned this and I am sure will bring lot more success to Pakistan cricket.
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Jul 04, 2017 10:49pm
Shezad should stand at the back - he played 1 match with very little contribution in it - he should not be centre stage
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Jul 04, 2017 11:10pm
@BILAL Then whom do you think is the leader Misbah, Afridi, Hafeeeeeez???? Shoaaaib Malik????
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Jul 04, 2017 11:26pm
Why is Najam Sethi trying to take credit for the team's Champions trophy win? What has he done? And why is he making political statements in such a venue?
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Jul 04, 2017 11:38pm
@Imam The biggest contribution Shahzad made in the Champions trophy was that he sat out "honorably" after the first match and celebrated in in his replacement Fakhr Zaman's contribution in the team.
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Jul 04, 2017 11:45pm
A thrilling capture against England; a superb example of his captaincy
It is beginning which leads to WC 2019 Inshallah
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Jul 05, 2017 12:40am
A very well deserve appointment. All others who are jealous eat your heart out!
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Jul 05, 2017 01:16am
Great reception for our champions. Pakistani state spoke.
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Jul 05, 2017 01:17am
What is Ahmed Shahzad doing taking all the attention in the pic? He's only contribution was getting injured so Fakher Zaman could play.
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Jul 05, 2017 01:31am
@BILAL Prejudice speaking
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Jul 05, 2017 01:42am
@BILAL
You will not see. The only winner of 2 ICC trophies in Country.
You will not see. The only one to beat twice India in ICC tournament.
You Will not see
Reaching final of PSL 2 times , Winning one.
You will not see
Praised by the likes of V Richard, I Chappel, Nasir Hussain,
and many many Top experts.
If You Remove "that specialy shaded glasses"
You will see.
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Jul 05, 2017 01:43am
Why is Ahmed Shahzad always at the front, what was his contribution?
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Jul 05, 2017 02:12am
Attention seeker Ahmed Shehzad ruined the picture both by holding his favorite Toy (the cell phone) and his fake pose the same way he ruined the celebration in england when he was glued to the Trophy after the finals.
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Jul 05, 2017 02:22am
good decision. He also the captain of the under 19 in 2006 when Pakistan won the world cup by beating India in final
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Jul 05, 2017 02:25am
@BILAL there were four captains were playing at Champions Trophy, the three former captains came thru Quota, and the winning captain thru Merit.Jeay Sarfaraz.
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Jul 05, 2017 02:30am
@BILAL There were four captains were playing Champions Trophy, the three former captains were selected thru Quota, and the current captain was selected thru Merit.
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Jul 05, 2017 02:35am
It was really great Captaincy from Sarfraz. Thanks to PCB that for first time they recognised merit and talent, and appreciated result. If it was not for Sarfarz, Pakistan would have been back to Pakistan after SL game.
Sarfraz leadership brought out the best from all players, new and old. His motivation for other players was such that even rusty piston of Hafeez started firing and Azhar bat that is good to do tuk, also played well. New batsmen and bowlers produced game as if they were playing international cricket since long time. Actually, Sarfraz Captaincy was so penetrating, captivating and illuminating that Sarfraz not only won under 19 for Pakistan (against beating India in final), but one can see that in PSL, where Sarfraz led the least capable team (Quetta Gladiator) to give the most thrilling results, leading PSL table throughout both years ... and got Quetta Gladiator into final in both years. So ...
Thanks Sarfraz for the cup.
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Jul 05, 2017 02:42am
@BILAL Yeah sure good looks not always associated well with the leadership qualities.
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Jul 05, 2017 02:43am
@Imam Shahzad reminded me of begani shaadi mai Abdullah Deewana lol
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Jul 05, 2017 02:47am
@BILAL Same goes with Imran Khan who initially refused to take Maindad with the team in 1992 world cup, and was forced to called him in the team after getting 3-4 continous defeats, and it was Miandad who actually put the strategy on the field and was the defecto Captain who was running the show and hence the outcome, we all cherished, though Imran Khan victory speech has nothing to do with the leadership quality as well, it was merly the self praised.
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Jul 05, 2017 02:47am
Mr. Nawaz! Your record as cricketer speaks for itself as you made it to Wisdon Cricketer of the year for most of the time in cricket history before induction into ICC hall of fame. so is your political career go to be!!
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Jul 05, 2017 03:05am
where was the coaching staff? why they were not even acknowledged? Lots off irrelevant personals were called on stage but most critical contributors were omitted, any reason????
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Jul 05, 2017 03:19am
@BILAL leadership is not about standing up the collars and wearing dark glasses and when under pressure just give and blame everyone but yourself, it is all about using the strength of the team to win by making the right decisions. Sarfaraz has it all, lets give him time and space to show his skills as captain.
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Jul 05, 2017 03:47am
The player because of whom they won the final is not in picture - we miss you Mohammad Amir. The picture contains only ordinary players who are to be diminished within year or two.
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Jul 05, 2017 03:55am
@BILAL stop being Ignorant, you don't win championships without any leader and teamwork. Give people chance where they deserve. You don't get too many chances of beating India comprehensively. Under his leadership and teamwork it was accomplished.
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Jul 05, 2017 04:05am
Happy to see Team in green blazer than that stupid white blazer they wore in England after winning the champions trophy. Sarfraz does have leadership qualities, winning champions trophy in England is what you need to prove; other choices failed multiple times in past proven by statistics. Same Green blazer with star on top of playing dress be used in future wins immediately after winning any major tournament. Players need paid vacation and bonus and should be back to training camps. Matches in Ramadan prove to be helpful to Pakistani team, they avoid outside entertainments for respect of Ramadan and focus on the game.
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Jul 05, 2017 04:10am
It's pathetic when politicians try to humor their supporters by such a speech , when we all know that their speech is written by some other person who gets paid for this .
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Jul 05, 2017 04:30am
I crore reward is to little. We should give more either in cash or kind. One of the most fundamental cause missing in Pakistan is to encourage people in all walks of life. We need to express thank you when one puts in their best effort. To say thank you, you do not necessarily need to win. If we say thank you and well done then it encourages people to do more.
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Jul 05, 2017 05:03am
@insaafian i am sure he never heard of the basic requirements for leadership ... Sarfraz learned leadership from Sir Viv .. n Viv should be great coach for Pakistani batting
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Jul 05, 2017 05:13am
@BILAL this is what we get in Pakistan. You cant expect leaders like dhoni steve smith mccullum et al in this country because we simply dont nurture such mindsets.
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Jul 05, 2017 05:44am
@ Bilal, he won the under 19 World Cup as captain, took the unfancied Quetta Gladiators to final of PSL twice, and now won the champions trophy with a team that was whitewashed by Bangladesh just a year ago. He must be doing something right.
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Jul 05, 2017 06:04am
Welcome to the club.
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Jul 05, 2017 06:21am
Welcome news Sarfraz will lead from the front as always.
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Jul 05, 2017 07:03am
Here we go again adulation and abhoration like a yoyo we rise up and fall down on a whim consistency is the name of the game. Take nothing away from the wonderful achievement but if we want consistency we need to select on merit, otherwise we will suffer the same fate as we did after the 1992 World Cup which we won offcourse , then after Imran Wasim Waqar and Inzamanulhaq left our team went into free fall remember the Fab Four were in the WC due to Imran and were brought in due to their talents not their contacts.
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Jul 05, 2017 07:40am
look at shahzad the great.
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Jul 05, 2017 07:58am
sarfraz is a fighter, aggressive and courageous player. The rest he will learn with experience.
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Jul 05, 2017 08:09am
Pakistan's team is still rated 6th. On the verge of being taken over by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. But I guess a win against India is worth more
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Jul 05, 2017 08:16am
Sarafarz is a great captain. leadership qualities in came is not how you speak english. in sports it goes all towards how you understand the game, how u plan each game, how u make decisions against scenarios....Nobody is ideal, we need to develop. plz stop critizing Pakistanies. support your team in good and bad days.
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Jul 05, 2017 08:37am
@asgher : Exactly what I was thinking... three people in the front are completely irrelevant: Ahmed Shahzad, Shoaib Malik and Wahab Riaz....they are just there for the pictures.
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Jul 05, 2017 09:00am
Sarfraz is a leading star and he will prove it. Which he has been repeatedly. I wish n pray that Sarfraz will continue to carry this respect and trust with pride and success..Good Luck
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Jul 05, 2017 09:02am
@BILAL YOU think, then you are the automatic choice, as all the other players are in the same category ?
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Jul 05, 2017 09:24am
@ADNAN he is in England playing the county for club
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Jul 05, 2017 09:43am
@BILAL Why? What would you like to see?
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Jul 05, 2017 09:54am
@BILAL Misbah did not had any leadership quality except winning in UAE he was the most defensive captain Pakistan ever had. Azhar the other choice was a total brain freeze with no idea and planning. Sarfaraz also led the Under 19 team to World Title in 2006. There are leadership skills in Sarfraz which others in recent times ave lacked. If you want to educate people on Leadership Quality then you should place Mushtaq Mohammad at the top of the list of Pakistan Cptains.
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Jul 05, 2017 10:20am
@PatiencePays He is best thing to happen to Pakistan cricket as far as leadership goes.Leads by example.
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Jul 05, 2017 10:51am
@PHILOSOPHER (FROM JAPAN) : One hundred per cent agree with you.
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Jul 05, 2017 11:56am
where is mohammed aamir we don't see them any where after win champion trophy
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Jul 05, 2017 12:14pm
Under the current circumstances, Sarfraz is the best choice and he proved his leadership qualities on many occasions.
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Jul 05, 2017 07:15pm
@Ahmed Kashif Saeed ... it is not that ... 'under current circumstances' Sarfraz is best choice. It is, if merit and ability of a players is evaluated to lead Pakistan team, than Sarfraz is best choice.
Just imagine: A player took charge of Pakistan under 19, and led the team to win final against India. Later, Sarfraz was entrusted with Leadership of Quetta Gladiator, a team sold at lowest bid price for any team in PSL, had no star players and was considered the weakest in PSL (just like Pakistan was the weakest team in Championships trophy).
It was obvious that if team performs (QG in PSL or Pak in CT) according to player's ability, than team would be last in tournament, but then, one cannot predict Captain's ability and motivation that captain can give to players, getting best from them. That is what happened. QG excelled in PSL and Pak excelled in CT, not because any player in QG or Pakistani team were great but because QG as well as Pakistan team was led by a great Captain.
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Jul 06, 2017 04:03am
Oh God, another blunder - should have been Azhar. The only reason why Test Cricket did so well was because of the defensive approach by Misbah. They simply dont have the fire power in the batting line up to go out gun blazing regardless of what they did in 50 over game.
If Test cricket is to do well he will need a core of 5 -7 players that only play test.....5-7 odi's and T20 5-7 all under the age of 25.
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