KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Friday it was retaining Sarfaraz Ahmed as the captain of the Pakistani team, whereas Babar Azam was named the vice-captain for the upcoming Sri Lanka series, Geo News reported.The series, wherein Sarfaraz will lead Pakistan, comprises three one-day international (ODI) and three Twenty20 international (T20I) matches against Sri Lanka and is slated to be held from September 27 to October 9.PCB chairperson Ehsan Mani confirmed the appointments, the cricket regulatory authority said in a press release issued on Friday. The decisions were made “following recommendations made by Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq and the PCB Cricket Committee”.In this regard, Sarfaraz said he was “humbled and honoured” for the extension. “I have enjoyed captaining the Pakistan cricket team and look forward to improve my leadership qualities under the new set-up of Misbah-ul-Haq who also has a proven record as captain.”Highlighting having played cricket under Misbah, the chief selector, Sarfaraz further noted: “I think we will make a good combination, which will contribute to improved performances of the side across all formats”.He added: “I am aware we have not done justice to our potential in ODIs, which has disappointed us as well as our fans. I am hopeful we will be able to turn things around in the coming season. I remain committed to stepping up to the challenge with my performances and captaincy. I have complete faith in my team, which has time and again shown talent, class and charisma it possesses.”Terming Sarfaraz “an experienced campaigner”, Mani, the PCB chair, said the captain “has excelled and improved as a leader with every match”. He said: “I have complete faith in his abilities and I am confident he will continue to blossom under Misbah’s wings. We have appointed Babar Azam as Sarfaraz’s vice-captain. This is part of Babar’s gradual development as a future captain and in line with our strategy of introducing a succession plan across the board so that there are no gaps. I am hopeful the trio of Misbah, Sarfaraz and Babar will do well for Pakistan cricket.”Misbah-ul-Haq, on the other hand, congratulated Sarfaraz and Babar on their appointments, saying: “Both are one of the most talented and exceptionally gifted Pakistan cricketers and thoroughly deserve these assignments.”He added: “Consistency backed up by good performance has been my yardstick for recommending Sarfaraz as captain. Furthermore, I think I am better placed to get the best out of Sarfaraz as I know him better than most of the cricketers as he has played most of his cricket under my captaincy.“I have always been an admirer of his commitment and the energy he brings to the side. I have emphasised on changing the dressing room culture and mind-set of the players to achieve better results, and I believe Sarfaraz is a perfect fit to help me attain these objectives.”Separately, 19 players are likely to be added to the team for the Sri Lanka series, whose announcement would be made on Monday. The training camp, on the other hand, “will commence at the National Cricket Academy from Wednesday, 18 September”, the PCB said. It added: “The 16-player ODI and T20I squads will be named on Monday, 23 September.”
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