The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani has once again backed under-fire captain Sarfraz Ahmed in this difficult period and believes the Men in Green will bounce back under his leadership.

Following 2-1 humiliating defeat against New Zealand in the three-Test series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Green Caps came under severe criticism following numerous batting collapses.

The critics also questioned Sarfraz’s leadership in longest format of the game after suffering two series defeat in the home conditions since taking over the captaincy in the longest format of the game in 2017.

However, PCB Chairman Mani came out in support of the Karachi-born wicketkeeper-batsman to turn things around in the upcoming series.

Talking exclusively to Daily Express, the PCB chairman said that he will be visiting South Africa ahead of first Test and will be meeting players and the team management to boost their confidence.

“This is a very difficult time for Sarfraz. We have to fully support him,” said Mani. “When team wins then all is good and if they lose everyone started blaming them. This is very disappointing. This is the same team that defeated Australia 1-0. However they failed to deliver against New Zealand like we expected them to deliver.”

He added: “I will be leaving for South Africa ahead of first Test and will personally meet all players, captain and the team management. I have full confidence in them. They have delivered in the past and they will do it again.”

When asked about opener Imamul Haq’s inclusion over inform right-handed batsman Abid Ali who scored over 800 runs with the help of three centuries in eight matches against England Lions, Australia A and New Zealand A, Mani said he will not talk about any particular selection.

“I have full confidence in the selection committee,” said the PCB chairman. “Their contracts are due to expire in April. As far as selection of particular person is concern, I don’t want to comment on that.”

Furthermore, commenting on PCB’s Managing Director appointment, Mani said Wasim Khan will become the board’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) once he returns from England after completing his contract.

Khan was unveiled as PCB’s Managing Director last week after a comprehensive two-phase selection process.

“PCB is the only [cricket] board in the world which has no chief executive,” he said. “We will bring changes in our constitution to create a new position and then the managing director will be called the chief executive officer, like it happens everywhere else.”

Mani also ruled out any clash of powers between Chief Operating Officer (COO) Subhan Ahmed and Khan by saying: “Everywhere around the world, CEO and COO work together. International Cricket Council (ICC) too has the same setup, so why not in Pakistan. Appointing Khan as CEO has nothing to do with Ahmed. They will work together for the betterment of Pakistan Cricket.”