Misbah opens up on Sarfaraz’s removal from captaincy

Pakistan head coach-cum-chief selector Misbahul Haq has said that there is no conspiracy against former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed after the latter was stripped last week of his Twenty20 international and Test captaincy, just days after Pakistan were routed 3-0 by Sri Lanka at home in the short format.

The wicketkeeper-batsman was also dropped from the Twenty20 International (T20I) and Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia as well.  

“There are all kinds of strange theories in the media but it's a simple thing which is about Sarfaraz's form and the pressure he was playing under. It was on the basis of that the decision to remove Sarfaraz from captaincy was taken” said Misbah before announcing Pakistan’s T20I and Test squads ahead of Australia tour. “I had a detailed discussion with PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan and Chairman Ehsan Mani on the same issue.”

"Regarding a comeback, it's straight-forward. Domestic cricket is taking place and it's just a matter of regaining form. Once that happens, the doors are open. There is no conspiracy against him," he added.

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Sarfraz, 32, was replaced by Babar Azam, T20Is, and Azhar Ali in Tests, respectively.  

His place in both squads was taken by 27-year-old Mohammad Rizwan, whose only Test was in New Zealand in 2016.

Pakistan will play three Twenty20 internationals in Sydney (November 3), Canberra (November 5) and Perth (November 8).

The two Tests will be in Brisbane (Nov 21-25) and Adelaide (Nov 29-Dec 03).