KARACHI: Rashid Latif termed Mohammad Rizwan’s appointment as Pakistan’s vice-captain “not justifiable” and instead backed Sarfaraz Ahmed for the role for the two-match away Test series against Sri Lanka.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday, named a strong 16-member squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka which saw the return of ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi to Test after a one-year hiatus.

The squad also featured young batter Mohammad Huraira and all-rounder Aamer Jamal, who impressed the selectors with brilliant performances in the domestic circuit and Pakistan Shaheens’ tour of Zimbabwe.

Commenting on the recently-announced squad, Rashid Latif expressed displeasure on the appointment of Mohammad Rizwan as the vice-captain and asserted that Sarfaraz Ahmed would be a much more liable candidate for the role.

“Sarfaraz is the kind of player they [PCB] could have named the vice-captain on this tour. He is capable. He made a comeback after Rizwan’s drop in form. Sarfaraz will be part of the playing XI due to his previous performance, so retaining Rizwan as vice-captain is not justifiable,” said Rashid Latif said on the YouTube channel Caught Behind.

“I think Babar should be captain in all formats. However, don’t give anyone undue favour. If there is anyone else deserving of a leadership role in Tests, then that person is Sarfaraz and no one else,” he added.

Notably, a dip in Mohammad Rizwan’s form in Tests paved the way for Sarfaraz Ahmed to make his return to the national side after a gap of almost three years.

The former Pakistan captain grasped the opportunity with both hands as he scored three back-to-back fifties before smashing a gritty fourth-inning century in the second Test against New Zealand.

Sarfaraz Ahmed’s fighting knock lifted Pakistan to secure a draw against New Zealand and also from facing another home series defeat. He was named the player of the series for his sensational run with the bat.

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