Pakistani batsman Sarfraz Ahmed plays a six during the first International T20 cricket match at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on December 4, 2014. Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and put New Zealand into bat in the first of two Twenty20 internationals in Dubai. AFP PHOTO
Pakistani batsman Sarfraz Ahmed plays a six during the first International T20 cricket match at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on December 4, 2014. Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and put New Zealand into bat in the first of two Twenty20 internationals in Dubai. AFP PHOTO
Pakistani batsman Sarfraz Ahmed plays a six during the first International T20 cricket match at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on December 4, 2014. Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and put New Zealand into bat in the first of two Twenty20 internationals in Dubai. AFP PHOTO
Pakistani batsman Sarfraz Ahmed plays a six during the first International T20 cricket match at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on December 4, 2014. Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the toss an

Sport

Pakistan cricket has a new captain after Shahid Afridi quit role

Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed is Shahid Afridi's replacement, as announced by the Packistan Cricket Board.

Reuters

April 05, 2016

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Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed has replaced Shahid Afridi as Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old Afridi quit as captain on Sunday after Pakistan's disappointing performance in the recent World Twenty20, where they lost three of their four pool matches and failed to reach the semi-finals.

Sarfraz was made vice-captain of Pakistan’s ODI and Twenty20 international squads last year and the PCB moved quickly to name him as Afridi’s successor in the game’s shortest format.

“I spoke to Sarfraz this morning and conveyed to him that he was our natural choice for this position. His appointment is open-ended. I wish him good luck in his new role,” PCB Chairman Shahryar Khan said in a statement.

Despite resigning as skipper, Afridi said he wanted to continue as a player for the Twenty20 side.

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