5 reasons why Sarfraz Ahmed can be good ODI captain for Pakistan

Azhar Ali stepped down from ODI captaincy after the spate of poor performances from the team, 1-4 series defeat against Australia being the latest. As expected, Sarfraz Ahmed was appointed as Azhar Ali’s successor with immediate effect. Sarfraz’s first assignment after taking over the leadership mantle will be against West Indies in the Caribbean during April.

Currently ranked eighth in ICC ODI rankings, Pakistan are in danger of missing out on automatic qualification for 2019 World Cup. Sarfraz, already the T20I captain has been backed by most of the current and former Pakistan cricketers along with the coach Mickey Arthur to take Pakistan cricket forward as far as shorter formats are concerned.

Also, there are rumours that he might take over Test captaincy as well if Misbah decides to step down.

In hindsight, Sarfraz is the brightest prospect for Pakistan as he is the only one who walks into the team in all the formats of the game. This gives us an opportunity to have a look at why he can be good ODI captain for Pakistan.

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#1 Prior captaincy experience

Sarfraz Ahmed might be new to captaincy in International cricket but he has tremendous experience of leading a full-fledged side. He has won all four matches he has led in T20 Internationals so far and looks set to become the long-term option for the coveted role in the shortest format.

Sarfraz showed his captaincy skills by leading his country to the U-19 World Cup title back in 2006 and his leadership skills were further enhanced when he led Quetta Gladiators in the inaugural season of Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Quetta Gladiators eventually were the finalists of the tournament, the credit of which mostly goes to the energetic captaincy of the wicket keeper batsman. He would also gain more experience in the ongoing season of PSL where he is again set to lead his franchise.

All these captaincy experiences would surely hold him in good stead when Sarfraz will lead Pakistan for the first time in April against West Indies.

#2 Aggressive approach

His aggressive approach would help the ODI outfit of Pakistan to change

Sarfraz Ahmed is naturally an aggressive player. His approach towards the game shows it already and his numbers speaks for themselves as well.

While his strike rate in ODI (88.06) and Tests (74.04) prove this, his T20I stats(S/R 122.99) just shuts the debate if there is any. He even averages around 35 in ODIs, which is considered as decent for a wicket keeper batsman, and would gradually increase if he continues to be in rich vein of form in the near future.

Not only his natural game but also his strategy and captaincy skills show his aggressive nature, exactly what Pakistan needs right now if they are to improve their rankings in ODIs.

#3 Wicketkeeping

Being a wicket keeper and a captain would help him analysing the game in a much better way

For a captain, being a wicket keeper is always an added advantage. We have some of the best examples around the world in MS Dhoni and Kumara Sangakkara, who have used this to their advantage before.

Given his ability to lead, Sarfraz Ahmed would not be an exception. A wicket-keeper has a view equivalent to the batsman and Sarfraz, being a wicket keeper batsman himself, can have a bird’s eye view of the situation.

From this key position, he will also be able to manoeuvre his fielders and get the best out of them.

#4 Thrives under responsibility

Sarfraz Ahmed scored a scintillating hundred at Lords last year under pressure

In these modern days, whole cricketing world is experiencing two extraordinary captains, Kohli and Smith, leading their respective sides from the front. It is the added responsibility of captaincy which is bringing the best out of them.

Sarfraz too relishes to take over the job of scoring runs when his side is in dire straits. The best example is the second ODI at Lords against England in 2016. Pakistan, batting first, were three down for just 2 runs and Sarfraz scored a brilliant century to get his team to a respectable total of 251.

Though the total was not enough to beat England, the century reflected his character and ability to thrive under extreme pressure. Who knows, the extra responsibility of leading the side might bring out the best in him across all facets of the game.

#5 Age on his side

Sarfraz is set to lead Pakistan cricket in all the formats in near future

While the cricketing world has seen captains at age as young as 22 (Graeme Smith) and old as 36 (Anil Kumble), Sarfraz Ahmed has age on his side when he will lead Pakistan at the highest level.

Being 29 years old, and with a rich experience of more than 10 years of international cricket, Sarfraz is the best bet Pakistan have for the captaincy stint.

He still has at least more than 6 years of cricket left in him and with full-fledged support from other current and past cricket players, Sarfraz can certainly use this time to bring Pakistan Cricket to the level the world expects it to be.

With Misbah on the verge of ending his captaincy tenure, Sarfraz Ahmed would be the most favourite prospect for Test captaincy as well. This will also fulfil the 'One Captain' vision Inzamam Ul Haq, the Chief Selector for PCB, has for the future.