Sarfaraz picks Shadab over Rizwan, Shaheen as next all-format captain

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed spoke highly of all-rounder Shadab Khan and picked him ahead of Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi as the next potential all-format captain.

Sarfaraz Ahmed, during a YouTube podcast, responded to a question regarding which player among Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan has the ability to be Pakistan’s all-format captain in the future.

Responding to the question, Sarfaraz Ahmed emphasized the importance of the all-rounder and asserted that his versatility to excel in different cricketing scenarios can make him fit in all formats at any position.

“Shadab Khan,” replied Sarfaraz Ahmed without any hesitation.

“The batting order at which he plays, he can adjust in the team, or if you play overseas or play Test cricket, you need to play with five bowlers. Among those five bowlers, your fifth bowler will be your all-rounder, who can bat and bowl both. Whether we talk about one-day cricket or T20 cricket, he [Shadab] can adjust himself in all three formats,” he added.

Earlier, Sarfaraz Ahmed also extended his support to current Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam by emphasizing that he is improving with time.

“There is always room for improvement. Babar is getting better as a captain. He has started doing good and I hope will keep on getting better,” said Sarfaraz.

“In Pakistan, making a mistake is a sin. I know Babar makes mistakes but give him some time. It takes time to become a captain and build a team. We need to be patient and support Babar as he is our captain.

“Gradually, Babar will learn from his mistakes if he continues as a captain in the future. I have played under him recently, and I have seen improvement in his captaincy. He will do good for Pakistan.”

Sarfaraz Ahmed is considered one of the most successful Pakistan captains. The Green Shirts won many accolades during his captaincy. He is the only Pakistani captain to have won two ICC trophies — the Champions Trophy and U19 World Cup.

Under his captaincy, Pakistan also won 11 consecutive T20I series and got hold of the top spot in the T20I rankings for two years.

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