Azhar Ali As Test Captain: Will PCB Make Another Unpopular Decision?

Bosses in Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are already under fire after influential people from different quarters questioned their decision to appoint Waqar Younis as bowling coach and Misbah-ul-Haq as head coach cum chief selector. Nevertheless, only a day after the development; board it seems is all set to make another controversial decision of appointing Azhar Ali as Test captain. So, here is a look at why the decision is likely and why it is almost certain to be unpopular with the masses.

Read: How The Misbah-Waqar Combo Can Work For Pakistan

Why Change The Test Captain?

Sarfraz Ahmed has had a terrible time while leading the green shirts in the longer version of the game so far. The home series loss to Kiwis last year was perhaps his worst performance as a skipper in any given format. His record while leading the Test side is not too impressive and the pressure seems to be effecting him ODIs and T20s as well. Bosses in PCB then are rightly concerned. Hence, they want to reduce Sarfraz’s work load by handing over the Test captaincy to someone else. Also PCB wants to have a different captain who is dedicated to the format in order to fetch positive results during the on going ICC Test championship.

Read: Pakistan’s Head Coach: Why High Profile Foreigners Didn’t Apply

Why Azhar Ali Seems To Be A Probable Choice?

Azhar Ali has always been in good books of Misbah who has taken over the key posts of head coach and chief selector. Moreover, Azhar is well-versed and has prior experience of leading Pakistan. Thus, with difficult tours of Australia and England around the corner and with no other candidate in sight Azhar’s appoint as the Test captain is almost certain.

Read: Why Junaid Khan Should Stop Crying Foul Over The World Cup Omission

Why The Decision Is Likely To Attract Criticism?

Azhar turned out be a very unimpressive captain the last time he was handed over the responsibility. Hence, he is an option that has already been tried without much success. So, going back to him makes very little sense and therefore, his appointment is likely to make way for a lot of criticism.

What Other Options Does The PCB Have?

Pakistan’s vice-captain, Asad Shafiq has been in horrific form of late. So, he might lose his place in the playing eleven by the end of the ongoing season if he fails to deliver with the bat. Babar Azam and Harris Sohail are yet establish themselves in the format. Yasir Shah too hasn’t performed too well in foreign conditions. So, technically PCB doesn’t have much of a choice. All they can do for now is to either stick with Sarfraz Ahmed or appoint Azhar Ali as Test captain to lead Pakistan. Either way there will be repercussions that can’t be helped much!