LAHORE: Misbah-ul-Haq has been retained as Test captain for the upcoming tour of the West Indies after the skipper conveyed his decision to continue leading the team during a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan.

“Misbah conveyed to the PCB chairman his desire to continue as captain of Pakistan’s Test team. Accordingly, the chairman has approved his appointment as the Test team captain for the upcoming West Indies series. The chairman has also approved appointment of Sarfraz Ahmed as vice-captain of the Test team,” read a PCB statement on Monday.

Wicket-keeper/batsman Sarfraz, 29, has been named Misbah’s deputy in place of Azhar Ali, who relinquished ODI captaincy in the wake of Pakistan’s poor show in the five-match ODI series Down Under.

Though Pakistan were whitewashed in New Zealand (0-2) and Australia (0-3) recently, Misbah, who has served Pakistan cricket well over the years, has been given the option by the PCB chairman to decide about his Test future.

Interestingly, Shaharyar said after the West Indies tour, ending on May 14, it would again depend on Misbah to continue in the Test arena or not.

“Frankly speaking, I have great respect for Misbah as he served Pakistan cricket during a very crucial time and [therefore] he should be given the right to decide his own future,” the PCB chief said while talking to Dawn.

“Yes after the West Indies tour the PCB will not ask Misbah to step down as he will himself decide about his future,” he added.

It is to be noted that the 72-Test Misbah would be 43 two weeks after the forthcoming tour of the West Indies where Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests starting with the opener in Kingston on April 22.

Misbah, Dawn has learnt, will call it a day after the West Indies tour, hoping to end his career on a winning note after forgettable tours to New Zealand and Australia.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2017