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