Aaqib Javed dismisses calls for different cricket captains

Former Pakistan pacer Aqib Javed has stated that the national team is not yet ready to appoint separate captains for all three formats of cricket during an exclusive interview with a local media news channel.

This comes after calls to appoint different captains for the white ball and longer formats of cricket due to Pakistan's poor performance in the five Test matches against England and New Zealand and the recent success of Sarfaraz Ahmed's return to the team.

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Javed believes that the team should focus on expanding the pool of players rather than making changes to the leadership. 

“I wonder who is suggesting appointing different captains for different formats. It is good that Sarfraz Ahmed came back and performed well, but it doesn't happen like that. You don't play two Tests and shake the whole system,” he said.

“There is no Test in eight months. All this is being done based on agenda and propaganda. It is indeed a challenge to take all three formats together, as it is difficult for the coaches and the captain,” he maintained.

He also criticized the team management's decision to appoint Shan Masood as ODI vice-captain for the New Zealand series and suggested that the board should work more closely with the captain. 

“It should not have happened; Shadab Khan is the vice-captain of white-ball cricket. Even if he was injured, then there was no need to announce Shan as vice-captain,” he said.

“Because of Shan's appointment as the vice-captain, it seems that Babar Azam and the board are not on the same page. Everything revolves around the captain, as he has to plan and play the team on the ground, so the board must be onboard with the captain,” he added.

He also praised the interim chief selector Shahid Afridi for his recent efforts to improve the team, including bringing Sarfaraz back and giving opportunities to domestic players.