Sarfaraz retained as Pakistan ODI and T20I captain

Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed was on Friday retained as Pakistan's ODI and T20 International captain ahead of the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan's new head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq told the media in Lahore on Friday that he was hopeful of working well with Sarfaraz to take the team forward.

Misbah also announced that batsman Babar Zaman would be the vice-captain of the national team in the two shorter formats.

Asked whether Sarfaraz had been appointed just for the series against Sri Lanka or on long-term basis like in the past, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ehsan Mani said one should not read too much into it and speculate.

"We have a new management of the team and we are looking now at finding the right balance," Mani said.

Mani also insisted that Misbah and the Board's Chief Executive Wasim Khan were already looking into the issue of Test captaincy.

"Since we don't have Test matches immediately we have announced captain for white ball cricket and due process will be followed for naming captain of red ball cricket and Misbah and Wasim will make their recommendations to me," he said.

Sarfaraz has been Pakistan's captain in all three formats since last two years and has led the team in white ball cricket since 2017, also winning the Champions Trophy.

Asked about Sarfaraz's performances, Misbah said, "Overall if we assess Sarfaraz's performances I still believe the team has done well. He has led the national under-19 team and now senior team in last three years, I think we are doing the right thing.

"Our T20 performances have been outstanding but in ODI we have been up and down and we need to be more consistent. But we can't just blame the captain or one individual, that is wrong. When your main players are out of form and don't perform, the team can't win. In cricket 11 players have to play and perform."
"I just think a person has to just focus on his job because if I perform well or bad it will become clear in front of everyone."