ISLAMABAD: Legendary batsman Javed Miandad has termed Sarfraz Ahmed as the most suitable player to lead the team in the current circumstances, saying the wicket-keeper should also be given the responsibility of Test captaincy.
Pakistan beat the West Indies by 2-1 in their three-match ODI series.
The West Indies beat Pakistan by four wickets in the first ODI, but the Green-shirts bounced back and won the next two matches by 74 runs and six wickets, respectively.
Talking to APP, Miandad said Sarfraz has a permanent place in the team as he already leads the side in two formats (Twenty20 and ODI). So he is the best option to head the Test team, he added.
“Sarfraz is a dependable player. He led the team to victory against the West Indies in his first assignment as the ODI skipper,” he said.
Current Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq has announced he would quit after the series against the West Indies.
Pakistan will play a three-match Test series against West Indies from April 21.
Speaking about the ODI series win, Miandad said the West Indies team was not as strong as it used to be. “The current West Indies team has many new players. It would have been very disappointing if Pakistan had lost the series,” Miandad said.
The former captain also praised Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali. “These players have a lot of talent and should be utilised properly,” he said.
Former leg-spin great Abdul Qadir also said the Test reins should be handed over to Sarfraz. “Sarfraz is a fighter and the team seems united under his captaincy. Making Sarfraz captain of all three formats would prevent groupings,” he said.
Despite winning the series 2-1, Pakistan failed to strengthen their position for direct qualification to the World Cup 2019.
Pakistan could have moved up to 92 points ahead of seventh-placed Bangladesh by a fraction had they won all three matches.
Pakistan gained one point to reach 90 on the ICC ODI Team Rankings to remain in the eighth position. The West Indies fell one point to 83, remaining in the ninth position.
Hosts England and the seven top teams on September 30, 2017, will qualify directly for the World Cup 2019. Four teams will qualify through a 10-team ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifying tournament in 2018.
Meanwhile, Babar Azam reached a career-best eighth ranking as his scores of 13, 125 not out and 16 helped him jump one position. Left-hander Imad Wasim climbed eight positions to reach a career-best 89th ranking.
Pace bowler Hasan Ali, who took six wickets in the series including a haul of five for 38 in the second ODI, rose 14 places to 34th position.