Srinagar: Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latief has said that Sarfaraz Ahmed should have been named Pakistan test team Vice Captain instead of Mohammad Rizwan.
PCB on Saturday names 16 member squad for Sri Lanka Test series.
Babar Azam will continue to lead the Test side, while Mohammad Rizwan was also retained as vice-captain.
According to Latif, Sarfaraz’s comeback after Rizwan’s drop in form demonstrated his capabilities and reliability as a player.
“Sarfaraz is the kind of player they [PCB] could have named the vice-captain on this tour. He is capable. He made a comeback after Rizwan’s drop in form. Sarfaraz will be part of the playing XI due to his previous performance, so retaining Rizwan as vice-captain is not justifiable,” Rashid Latif said on YouTube channel.
“I think Babar should be captain in all formats. However, don’t give anyone undue favours. If there is anyone else deserving of a leadership role in Tests, then that person is Sarfaraz and no one else” he added.
Sarfaraz in the series against New Zealand, replaced Rizwan and showcased his batting prowess, amassing 335 runs at an impressive average of 83.75. He emerged as the highest run-scorer in the series and was recognized as the Player of the Series for his significant contributions with the bat.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood