Sarfaraz should have been named Test vice-captain instead of Rizwan: Latif

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced the 16-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in July. Babar Azam will continue to lead the Test side, while Mohammad Rizwan was also retained as vice-captain.

However, former Pakistan wicket-keeper, Rashid Latif, expressed his opinion that Sarfaraz Ahmed should have been named the Test vice-captain instead of Mohammad Rizwan for the upcoming Test series. Latif argued that Sarfaraz's performance and experience made him a more suitable candidate for the vice-captaincy role.

According to Latif, Sarfaraz's comeback after Rizwan's drop in form demonstrated his capabilities and reliability as a player. He believed that Sarfaraz's previous performances warranted his inclusion in the playing XI and further justified his selection as the Test vice-captain.

Latif suggested that the decision to retain Rizwan as the vice-captain was not justifiable, given Sarfaraz's potential and his outstanding performance in the recent series against New Zealand.

“Sarfaraz is the kind of player they [PCB] could have named the vice-captain on this tour. He is capable. He made a comeback after Rizwan’s drop in form. Sarfaraz will be part of the playing XI due to his previous performance, so retaining Rizwan as vice-captain is not justifiable,” Latif said on YouTube channel.

“I think Babar should be captain in all formats. However, don’t give anyone undue favours. If there is anyone else deserving of a leadership role in Tests, then that person is Sarfaraz and no one else” he added.

Latif's opinion is supported by Sarfaraz's recent performances in Test cricket. In the series against New Zealand, Sarfaraz replaced Rizwan and showcased his batting prowess, amassing 335 runs at an impressive average of 83.75. He emerged as the highest run-scorer in the series and was recognized as the Player of the Series for his significant contributions with the bat.

It is worth mentioning that Rizwan himself acknowledged his poor form during the home series against England, where he struggled with the bat. Rizwan scored 141 runs in six innings in the three-match series at an average of 23.50 and failed to score a single fifty score.

Earlier, Mohammad Rizwan's recent signing with the Vancouver Knights as their Icon Player had also cast doubts about his participation in the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. Rizwan has been picked up by Vancouver Knights for the third edition of the league which is scheduled from July 20 to August 6. Pakistan will play two Tests against Sri Lanka from July 16 to 28. With Rizwan with now being selected, he might be available for Knights for the last few matches in the league.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka last played a Test series in July 2022 that was drawn 1-1.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood