Published 17:39 IST, October 19th 2019
Shoaib Akhtar supports PCB for controversial tweet on Sarfaraz
Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has slammed Sarfaraz Ahmed and supported PCB for removing him from captaincy. Know more details about the incident.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed from the Pakistan national team's captaincy in the Test and T20I formats. To add salt to the wounds, the 2017 Champions Trophy-winning captain’s replacements have been announced already as well since he has been dropped from the teams as well. Azhar Ali has been named as the new Test captain while star batsman Babar Azam will lead Pakistan in T20I cricket. However, cricket fans highly criticised PCB for dealing with the incident in an insensitive way. Shortly after the announcement was made public, the PCB posted a video. The video featured Pakistani cricketers pushing their ex-captain in celebration.
However, after facing heavy criticism, the PCB immediately removed the video and apologised about the same on Twitter. PCB tweeted and stated that they had no intentions of hurting the fans or Sarfaraz. The video was a part of social media planning and it just crashed in at a wrong time. However, critics had a field day at the expense of the PCB.
PCB: Shoaib Akhtar’s reactions
Pakistan fast bowling legend Shoaib Akhtar aka 'The Rawalpindi Express' reacted in a different way and showed no mercy towards Sarfaraz Ahmed. Akhtar supported the PCB's decision and believes Sarfaraz is himself responsible for his fate. He has often slammed Sarfaraz and blamed him as a poor Pakistan captain on his YouTube channel. After losing against India at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the former fast bowler highly criticised the entire Pakistani cricket team and captain Sarfaraz, especially for their performance. This time he has reacted in the same way. In his recent vlog, Akhtar said that Sarfaraz Ahmed’s removal has happened due to his ignorance towards suggestions.
PCB: Sarfaraz Ahmed’s reaction
Sarfaraz Ahmed has shown no anger or discomfort over PCB’s decision of removing him as the captain. The former Pakistani captain has rather congratulated his teammates and new replacement for taking the lead spot. In an official statement, Sarfaraz said that it was an honour for him to lead his team from the front and thinks that Babar and Ali will do a great job as captains. There have been mixed reactions from a lot of fans and its time to see whether PCB’s decision is going to be fruitful or not.
Updated 22:49 IST, October 19th 2019