PCB urges Misbah to continue as Test skipper till 2018

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has urged Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, who is expected to step down after the upcoming Australia tour, to continue leading the national side until at least 2018.

PCB chairman Shahryar Khan said that although Misbah is independent to take decision about his future, the board has requested him to continue for few more years.

"Though Misbah is independent to decide about his future, the PCB has suggested him to continue till 2018," the Dawn quoted Shahryar as saying.

"Because of his excellent fitness, Misbah can easily play international cricket for few more years. Besides, he is calm, well-educated, calculative and balanced and enjoys a lot of respect in the team," he added.

While answering who would be Misbah's replacement after his retirement, the chairman pointed out that ODI skipper Azhar Ali and T20 skipper Sarfraz Ahmed are good choices for the position.

"Both Azhar and Sarfraz Ahmed are good choices but the former's batting suffers whenever he leads the side. All-rounder Imad Wasim can also be a candidate as he has impressed the PCB with his ability of handling pressure at crucial stages of matches," the 82-year-old said.

Shahryar, on the other hand, also confirmed that both former captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif are eligible for selection in the Pakistan team after taking part in first-class matches.

Now, it is up to the national selectors to decide when to test Butt and Asif, who both were convicted in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal.

Pakistan will head to Australia for a three-match Test series beginning at the Gabba on December 15.