‘Overburdened’ Sarfaraz should be relieved from Test captaincy: Zaheer Abbas

The man nicknamed Asian Bradman feels Sarfaraz’s responsibilities are affecting his performances.

By Web Desk
August 28, 2019
According to Zaheer Abbas, Sarfaraz Ahmed's performance is experiencing a downfall due to dealing with captaincy of all three formats. Photo: AFP

Batting legend Zaheer Abbas has advised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to relieve Sarfaraz Ahmed from Test captaincy so he can concentrate on his own performance.

Question marks have been raised on Sarfaraz’s leadership in the light of the team’s erratic performances and his own unimpressive numbers.

Abbas, dubbed the Asian Bradman in his playing days, is of the opinion that the burden of leading the side in all three formats is proving too much to bear for Sarfaraz.

“The captaincy of all three formats had resulted in the downfall of Sarfraz’s own performance; therefore, he must be relieved from the duty of Test captaincy,” he said.

Abbas endorsed Misbah-ul-Haq for the role of head coach, and urged the PCB to go for an all-local coaching staff instead of hiring foreign trainers.

“It is better to hire like-minded local coaching staff who can together benefit the team and players,” the ex-Pakistan captain remarked. “Our Pakistani cricketers are highly patriotic people who can pass their skills to the current players with utmost dedication. I think local coaches must be given the chance to serve for the country.”

Former wicketkeeper Rashid Latif has been mooted as a potential candidate for the chief selector. Abbas said that if Latif were to be offered the job, he must also be given full liberty or it would not end well.

“Rashid was also offered the role of chief selector during [former PCB chairman] Najam Sethi’s tenure but he declined since he wanted to head the anti-corruption unit as well,” he said.

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