A Look At Top 10 Incidents From Pakistan Cricket During The Year, 2019

With new year around the corner; here is a look at top 10 incidents from Pakistan cricket during the year, 2019 which despite being dismal was pretty happening for the green shirts.

Read: Why Yasir Shah’s Brilliant Hundred Should Not Be Enough To Save His Place In Pakistan’s Test XI Outside Of Asian Conditions

Sarfaraz Ahmed Banned By ICC Over

Sarfraz Ahmed who was Pakistan’s captain on the tour of South Africa received a four match ban from the International Cricket Council (ICC) after he confessed to a racist comment that was directed at the South African all-rounder, Andile Phehlukwayo. The entire episode resulted in major embarrassment for the men in green.

Quetta Gladiators Win PSL 4

Sarfraz Ahmed later in the year was able find respite when Quetta Gladiators under his leadership managed to win PSL 4. This was also the first time the franchise was able to lift the prestigious trophy.

Back to Back Big Defeats In The ODI Format

Misery continued for the green shirts as they lost back to back 5 match ODI series against Australia and England. The national side then couldn’t even register a single victory during the 10 ODIs that were played just before the ICC world cup.

Pakistan Fail To Qualify For The ICC World Cup Semi-Finals

Despite putting up a show later in the tournament; Pakistan couldn’t qualify for the ICC world cup semi-finals. Hence, the debacle made way for a long list of changes in the remaining part of the year.  

Inzamam, Mickey Arthur, Grant Flower And Azhar Mehmood Shown The Door

The world cup fiasco resulted in the then chief selector i.e. Inzamam-ul-Haq calling it a day after it was obvious that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will show him the door. The fate of head coach Mickey Arthur, batting coach Grant Flower and bowling coach Azhar Mehmood wasn’t much different as PCB decided not to renew their contacts.

Read: Why Mickey Arthur Is Right In Criticizing Waqar Younis For Throwing Misbah-ul-Haq “Under The Bus” And Why PCB Needs To Remove The Two Gentlemen ASAP

Misbah-ul-Haq Becomes Pakistan’s Head Coach Cum Chief Selector

Misbah-ul-Haq then was appointed as Pakistan’s new chief selector and head coach after the world cup. This was the first time in the history of the country that both prestigious roles were officially handed over to a single individual.

Sri Lanka Embarrass Pakistan

Not much changed after Misbah’s appointment as embarrassment continued for the men in green who were white washed at home by a second string T20 Sri Lankan side only a few days after the 45 year old took over.  

Read: Why Mohd. Rizwan Has Taken Over From Sarfaraz Ahmed In The Tests And ODIs But Is Still Likely To Struggle In The T20 Format

Azhar Ali and Babar Azam Takeover After Sarfaraz Ahmed Faces The Axe

Sarfaraz Ahmed’s poor show with the bat, gloves and in the field while leading the green caps not only resulted in him losing captaincy but also his place in the playing eleven. Thus, 2019 has been a forgetful year for the former Pakistan skipper.

Azhar Ali and Babar Azam on the other hand replaced him in the Test and T20 formats respectively.

Test Cricket Returns To Pakistan

A full strength Sri Lankan team visited Pakistan during the last month of the year and hence, Test cricket returned to Pakistan after a decade long break. Pakistan won the two match rubber 1-0.

Abid Ali Registers A World Record

Abid Ali scored a century on debut to become the first male cricketer ever to register an ODI and a Test hundred on debut. 2019 then should be memorable year for the opening batsman.

So, comment and let us know if we have missed out an improvident incidents from Pakistan cricket during the year, 2019.