Does Arthur want Sarfraz to be replaced as captain?

Mohammad Yaqoob Published August 6, 2019

Any decision on Sarfraz’s fate as national captain is primarily the domain of the PCB chairman. — AFP/File

LAHORE: Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur, who is very keen about extension of his services with the Pakistan cricket team, reportedly went against the captaincy of Sarfraz Ahmed while briefing the PCB cricket committee here last Friday. This situation, it is feared, could result in tense relations between the two in case both are retained for their jobs in future.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is to name new head coach, national selection committee and captain after their respective tenures ended after the ICC World Cup staged in England and Wales from May 30 to July 14.

For appointing new head coach and national selection committee, the cricket committee will forward its recommendations — to PCB chief — based on the views given by Arthur, Inzamam-ul-Haq (outgoing chief selector) and skipper Sarfraz in last Friday’s session.

However, it must be mentioned here that any decision on Sarfraz’s fate as national captain is primarily the domain of the PCB chairman.

Dawn has learnt that Arthur has given negative remarks on Sarfraz’s captaincy during the hearing at the PCB cricket committee and wants the wicket-keeper/batsman replaced.

A PCB official on the condition of anonymity confirmed that the cricket committee has nothing to do with Arthur’s remarks on Sarfraz as it was not its domain to remove or retain the captain. However, the official agreed that in case both (Arthur and Sarfraz) retain their posts they would not enjoy any exemplary relationship in the future.

Dawn also learnt that Arthur was interested in a two-year extension of his job but the PCB is likely to extend his services till next year’s ICC T20 World Cup only.

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani is to decide on new captain, selection committee and head coach under the light of the recommendations made by the cricket committee in near future.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2019

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Sherfan

Aug 06, 2019 09:29am

Please do it. Replace Sarfaraz with a good batsman or a good bowler. Sarfaraz is not either of them and takes up space in the team. Not a single close game was won by Sarfaraz. Every time there was need for someone to stay till the end, Sarfaraz got out ASAP. Useless captain. Energy less captain.

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Ahmed

Aug 06, 2019 09:38am

Sarfaraz definitely has to go but who will replace him is the real question?

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Aug 06, 2019 10:02am

This is the same repetition of the 2015 World Cup, where after the retirement of Misbah, Azhar Ali was made captain and our team started losing against teams like Bangladesh and West Indies. Now, we need to appoint Vice-captain of the team among potential player to develop him for captaincy job in future. Presently our team doesn't have a better choice for captain among young players other than Sarfraz Ahmed. However, there are few problems with Sarfraz Ahmed, which need to be improved by both PCB and Sarfraz Ahmed. PCB needs to provide assurance to the captain by appointing him for a certain period (two or five years). In last two year or so we have seen there were attempts to change the captain of the team (Sarfraz being rested against Australia), maybe this is the factor Sarfraz was uncomfortable or uncertain about his position. Sarfraz has to improve his batting and some leadership skills such as how to communicate with other players on the field

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Waqar Khan

Aug 06, 2019 10:49am

Arthur has told the truth irregardless of what the Board decide. Arthur might stick longer if the T20 is brought to Pakistan. A few other players should be replaced since the real issue is with talent being not brought up to the front line. If our selector could only bring out his nephew to play as opener what else do you expect... This is the main issue with South Asian Culture... We can't never say no to family...a movies start son is always a hero...

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amir

Aug 06, 2019 10:51am

Arthur's comment against Sarfaraz is very surprising as he had been always supportive of Sarfaraz. It looks like in front of the committee Sarfaraz spoke his mind. Reportedly Sarfaraz told them that in the first 5 matches he had no role in selecting the team and changing the batting line up. Decisions were taken by coach and Inzi. The team lost all those matches and won all the rest. This puts blame on the coach. Suddenly he does not like him. Arthur knows that Sarfaraz has no lobby. Politically he is the weakest, despite bringing the team few ranking up in ODIs and staying on top of T20 ranking. Therefore Arthur likes to put the blame on Sarfaraz, an easy scapegoat, and hence prolong his job.

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Ayub

Aug 06, 2019 11:05am

Remove Sarfraz pl. He can’t bat, can’t speak, drops catches and shouts at fellow players on LIVE Tv. Is this the best Pak has to offer on world stage, certainly not!

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Aug 06, 2019 01:06pm

Both the skipper and the head coach of greenshirts must be changed immediately by PCB including the head of the selection committee, to have a fresh start for the new cricket season of 2019-20.

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Goga Nalaik

Aug 06, 2019 02:10pm

I support Mickey. Sarfraz should be removed as captain by the PCB.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Aug 06, 2019 02:25pm

Sarfaraz Ahmed is the best thing that has happened to Pakistan cricket in the past few years. We need a humble, honest leader like Sarfaraz Ahmed with a great cricketing brain. If one has to go. It should be Mickey Arthur.

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Asif jamil

Aug 06, 2019 03:12pm

What Arthur told the PCB cricket committee should be kept confidential and should not to announced publicly. Such actions by irresponsible officials are the ones which spoil relations and effect morale of those concerned. This leak must be strongly condemned by PCB and disciplinary action taken against the culprit.

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Farooq

Aug 06, 2019 03:39pm

I think Mickey will do anything to save his job. He used to say he and Sarfraz are one and the same and now he is blaming Sarfraz. Time for new coach and selector and new Test captain. Sarfraz is fine for ODI and T20. In 4 years time Babar Azam will be ready to take over

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Mirza

Aug 06, 2019 03:45pm

Micky needs to go, even he has built his team with some of his favorite players. Pakistan achieved nothing under Micky, even losing Semi Final spot in World Cup was due to lack of planning on the part of coach. Winning remaining matches was important but looks like that coach never guided the team about the impact of net run rate.

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Jimmy Narielwalla

Aug 06, 2019 06:37pm

PCB Please change the Head Coach Mickey Arthur and bring in an Australian Head Coach and do appoint a Pakistani as batting, fast bowler and a spinner as coaches.

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sarvat

Aug 06, 2019 06:51pm

It is very important to keep Sarfraz as a Captain. Now Pakistan team is improving. He keeps #1 ranking in 20/20 for long period. . and Increased the 2 ranking in ODI. He best is best choice as captain until we groom new Captain next 3 to 5 years.

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Khalid K.

Aug 06, 2019 07:17pm

It is time to replace Sarfraz as captain of team. Sarfarz is fine as a wicket keeper and his batting is not reliable any more. He is not a good communicator and his body language and leadership skills need to improve a lot. He does not inspire confidence in his team. We need a different captain. May be it is time for Shadab to be captain. He has the personality and charisma of a team leader.

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Sherry

Aug 06, 2019 07:33pm

@Sherfan, yeah replace him with a bowler or a batsman and you can keep the wickets. Dummy!

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Bhaarteey

Aug 06, 2019 08:38pm

I like Sarfaraz because he yawns beautifully. I like Arthur because he misguides properly.

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Abdulla Hussain

Aug 07, 2019 05:18pm

Sarfaraz is absolutely not fit to continue as a captain and so is the condition of the chief selector who is more interested to safeguard a position for Imam.

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