Sarfraz Ahmed named Pakistan's T20I captain, replaces Shahid Afridi

Lahore, April 5: Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed has been appointed as the new captain of Pakistan's Twenty20 International team, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced today (April 5).

The 28-year-old Sarfraz takes over the reins from veteran all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who resigned after a disastrous World T20 campaign in India recently.

Afridi (left) and Sarfraz at Kolkata's Eden Gardens during a World T20 practice session on March 18, 2016

"PCB is pleased to announce appointment of Sarfraz Ahmed as Captain of Pakistan T20 team. Sarfraz was appointed Vice Captain of ODI and T20 teams last year. He takes over the captaincy of the shortest form of the game from Shahid Afridi whose term as Captain came to an end after the ICC World T20 2016," a media release from PCB said on Tuesday.

Commenting of this development, PCB' Chairman Shahryar Khan said, "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".

Sarfraz was part of the team at the World T20. The right-hander has played in 21 T20Is. He has also featured in 21 Tests and 58 ODIs.

Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals of the World T20 tournament. Following this, Afridi stepped down and also head coach Waqar Younis quit.

OneIndia News