Three separate teams likely to be announced for SL tour

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Misbah is expected to be removed as captain and three separate teams are likely to be announced. -File photo by AP

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is going to make a change in the captaincy of the national team as three separate teams are likely to be announced on Wednesday for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

“We have not taken any final decision to replace captain Misbah-ul-Haq. Before taking any decision, I will meet senior officials to exchange views on the issue,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf told Dawn.

When asked whether two captains for different formats would again promote groupings in the team as it happened when Salman Butt was leading Test side and Shahid Afridi was the captain of limited-overs game, Zaka said that final decision would be taken after thorough discussion and in the best interest of the team.

According to sources, Mohammad Hafeez is being tipped as captain for the T20 team despite his lower batting average as compared to Misbah.

Meanwhile, the national selection committee has completed consultation with captain and coach over selection of three separate teams. The selectors will have one more session of discussion on Wednesday before handing over the final list to the PCB chairman for his approval and announcement.

The system of two captains has always helped the PCB management with regard to holding sway over them (captains) since it is difficult for the management to dictate a captain leading the side in all three formats particularly when he is a successful one, added the sources.

Since taking charge as captain in 2010, when the team was in shambles in the wake of spot-fixing scandal, Misbah remained a very successful skipper.

As captain, Misbah has so far won nine Tests out of 15 and 16 One-day-Internationals out of 22 besides winning five Twenty20 Internationals out of seven.

Though Misbah’s track record as captain is fantastic, his critics have never been satisfied with his performance as a captain, criticising him mainly owing to his advancing years and predominantly defensive approach.

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