Azhar Ali Steps Down as ODI Captain, PCB Appoint New Skipper

Update on Misbah’s status as Test skipper as well.

File photo of Azhar Ali. (Photo: AP)

Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali has stepped down as the ODI captain after a meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan in Dubai on Thursday.

Azhar met me and offered to step down as one-day captain as he says it has been affecting his own performances. I have spoken to Sarfaraz Ahmed and he has given his consent to take over as the ODI captain. We have appointed Sarfaraz as the new ODI captain.

Shaharyar Khan, Chairman-PCB

Wicketkeeper-batsman, Sarfaraz is already leading Pakistan's national T20 squad since 2016.

The PCB chief added that Azhar had been forthright and said he felt the pressures of captaincy were not allowing him to focus on his own batting performances. Khan also confirmed that long-serving Test captain, Misbah-ul-Haq had spoken to him and asked him for some time to take a decision on his future.

“Misbah has asked for some time to think over his future and he will inform us accordingly.”

The PCB chief has been busy holding meetings with the Pakistan head coach, Mickey Arthur, chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq and the captains to discuss the future course of action after Pakistan's disappointing tours to New Zealand and Australia where they lost all five tests.

Pakistan were also drubbed 1-4 in the one-day series in Australia and the only match they won they were led by senior allrounder, Muhammad Hafeez as Azhar was unfit to play in the said match.

They had also lost last year 1-4 in the one-day series in England and are currently struggling at number eight position in the ICC ODI rankings after just securing a berth in this year's Champions Trophy in England above West Indies who are at number nine position.