Pakistan dropped former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed from the country's Twenty20 and Test squads for their upcoming Australian tour Monday, while experienced players Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez were also given the axe in the shorter format.

Sarfraz, 32, 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. 

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

The exit from Twenty20 internationals means curtains for Malik who had already announced retirement from Tests and one-day internationals.

Hafeez was part of Pakistan's Twenty20 squad in South Africa earlier this year but was not played. At 39, he has little hope of competing in international cricket again.

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).

Head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq said Pakistan need to do well in Australia following a disappointing summer.

"We need to play aggressive cricket to achieve better results there," said Misbah. "We have some exciting youngsters in the pace squad who could be surprise packages."

The Test pace attack -- hampered by the untimely retirement of Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz earlier this year -- includes 16-year-old Nasim Shah and 19-year-old Musa Khan who have played just five and seven first-class matches respectively.

Imran Khan senior, 32, returns to the Test squad after playing his last Test during the Australian tour in 2017.

Prolific leg-spinner Yasir Shah will be assisted by 33-year-old left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti in Tests.

And leg-spinner Usman Qadir -- son of the late legendary leggie Abdul Qadir -- will be part of the Twenty20 squad, with Misbah citing his experience playing in Australia's Big Bash Twenty20 league earlier this year.

The lanky 37-year-old Mohammad Irfan, who played the last of his 20 Twenty20 internationals in the Twenty20 World Cup in India three years ago, is also part of the shorter format.

Squads:

Twenty20: Babar Azam (captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khusdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Musa Khan, Wahab Riaz, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir

Test: Azhar Ali (captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan senior, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kashid Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Nusa Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah

Featured image courtesy: AFP/ Lindsey Parnaby

Pakistan sacked Sarfaraz Ahmed from his post as Twenty20 and Test skipper on Friday, a week after he led the side to a shocking 3-0 home defeat against an inexperienced Sri Lanka.

The showdown in Lahore gave the visitors their first Twenty20 series win against Pakistan in seven attempts while missing 10 of their top players -- including regular T20 skipper Lasith Malinga, who refused to tour Pakistan over security fears.

Senior batsman Azhar Ali will replace Sarfaraz as Test skipper, while Babar Azam will lead the Twenty20 side, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

"Sarfaraz has been replaced... on poor performance," said a board press release.

Azam has been appointed skipper until next year's Twenty20 World Cup in Australia, while Azhar will remain in charge for the 2019-2020 season.

Squads for the tour will be announced on October 21.

The change is seen as surprising despite the Sri Lanka whitewash. Pakistan had reached number one in the Twenty20 rankings under Sarfaraz, winning 11 series along the way.

Sarfaraz also topped the batting chart with 67 runs across the series. He congratulated both new captains on the honour.

"I wish Azhar and Azam the best of luck and thank all the coaches, selectors and officials for helping me in the journey," he is quoted as saying in the release.

Azhar previously skippered Pakistan in one Test and 31 one-day internationals between 2015 and 2017, losing 18 and winning 21 with one no result.

"It's an honour to lead my country," said Azhar, who was himself sacked after losing 4-1 against Australia in a one-day series in 2017.

Pakistan will next play three Twenty20 internationals in Australia in November ahead of two Test matches.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lindsey Parnaby

Karachi hosts an ODI for the first time in 10 years when Pakistan take on a depleted Sri Lanka on Friday, furthering the country's revival in international cricket.

"History will be made on Friday when Karachi will host the first ODI," said Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.

"We must thank the Sri Lankan team for touring us."

Teams have been reluctant to visit the cricket-mad country since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.

Although no players were killed in the attack, several were injured, and eight people died.

The attack forced Pakistan to play all their "home" Tests and most of their short-form games in the United Arab Emirates with Zimbabwe becoming the first team to return to Pakistan in 2015.

That tour was followed by a T20I series by a World XI in 2017, a one-off T20I match against Sri Lanka that same year, and the West Indies for a T20I series in Karachi in 2018.

The current tour -- comprising of three ODIs and as many T20Is -- was tainted by the withdrawal of 10 Sri Lankan players who cited security fears.

Read: Ten Sri Lankans opt out of Pakistan cricket tour over security fears

Sri Lanka then stalled the tour after receiving information of a possible militant attack on the team, before the all clear was finally given last week.

Read: Sri Lanka squad leave for Pakistan despite security concerns

High security

Pakistan have put in place stringent security measures normally reserved for heads of state.

All the arrangements are being led by the country's military, with around 2,000 security personnel on alert at the team's hotel and at the ground.

Sri Lankan skipper Lahiru Thirimanne -- captaining the side after regular skipper Dimuth Karunaratne pulled out -- is confident cricket will be in focus.

"The security has been really first class," said Thirimanne on Thursday. "We didn't have any problems. The facilities here are really good. Actually, we are not allowed to go out from the hotel, so we did some get together and played some FIFA games and carrom."

Thirimanne, the most experienced player in the squad with 125 ODIs, accepted the series would be difficult without so many key men.

"It's a good challenge because 10 of our senior players are not here. First of all, we must respect their decision because it's not about personal decision, you have to talk about with your families when you take this kind of decision.

"Regarding the challenge we are getting here, it's a very good side, I must say that Pakistan has named their best side so, yeah, the thing is we'll have lot of youngsters so it's good opportunity for them to come up and showcase their talent."

Sarfaraz and fast bowler Wahab Riaz are the only Pakistani players who have played an ODI in Karachi before -- back in 2008.

"I can't wait for Friday," said Sarfaraz, who took over as ODI captain in 2017.

Read: Pakistan retain Sarfaraz Ahmed as skipper for Sri Lanka series

The remaining ODIs will also be in Karachi on Sunday and Wednesday.

The two teams will also play three T20Is -- all in Lahore -- on October 5, 7 and 9.

Teams:

Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed (C), Babar Azam, Abid Ali, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hasnain, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz

Read: That's Odd: Cricket to be played in a new nation...oh wait!

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne (C), Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Angelo Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara

Feature Image Courtesy: AFP/ Asif Hassan

At one end of the spectrum is Misbah-ul-Haq, a hard taskmaster and the pioneer of the push-up celebration after a hundred. At the other is Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was caught yawning by the cameras during the exhilarating India vs Pakistan World Cup encounter.

As Misbah-ul-Haq assumes the role of the national selector and head coach, Sarfaraz's role remains unperturbed so far with him being named captain for the series against Sri Lanka. But there are a few changes coming in Pakistan cricket through Misbah's appointment.

A proper regime

Pakistan players' fitness levels were under the scanner during the World Cup and the new head coach has come down hard on this by introducing a proper fitness routine. Misbah has asked for a change in diet plans of players and not just in the national camp but also in domestic tournaments. Being someone who understands Pakistan cricket quite well, Misbah's vision is to bring fitter players through the grassroot levels to Pakistan cricket. Biriyani, red meat and sweets remain outside the diet plan as Misbah looks to set a precedent on how to run the mess called Pakistan cricket.

Misbah has ordered that the food consumed should include only barbecue items and pasta in addition to fruits through the domestic season and in the national camp.

Fringe talent and pre-series camps

There were 20 players named in a probable squad for the series against Sri Lanka with these players set to take part in a training camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. In another routine expected to bring order to chaos in Pakistan cricket, the camps will focus on the upbringing of fringe talent and also in identifying the players closest to national selection.

The series against Sri Lanka has been marred in controversy after the Island Nation struggled to put together a strong enough squad due to security concerns. But Misbah has remained true to his nature, working on his men rather than worrying about the opponents.

The return of Akmal and Shehzad

In the camp named for the Sri Lankan series, there are a couple of notable additions in Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal. Both are extraordinary players with enough talent, but that hasn't translated to consistent runs in international cricket.

Misbah has sought to bring them back, perhaps in an effort to identify clear cut goals and roles for them and to oversee how they go on receiving another chance.

All's not about return alone either with Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik left out of the camp with them given an allowance to complete the NOC to play in the Caribbean Premier League.

Quite a few fringe players have also been named as Pakistan look to blend youth and experience and form a success recipe with Misbah eyeing their chemistry. There could be a few more changes further down the lane, but for now, the former skipper has pushed for consistency and discipline, often the factors missing in Pakistan cricket.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Arif Ali

Pakistan, on Friday, retained Sarfaraz Ahmed as their captain for the upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, despite a clean-up after a poor 2019 World Cup that saw the exit of head coach Mickey Arthur.

The South Asian side failed to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup this year, forcing the cricket board to not renew Arthur's contract and also show the door to bowling coach Azhar Mahmood, batting coach Grant Flower and trainer Grant Luden.

There was speculation that the captaincy could be taken away from Ahmed, but the Pakistan Cricket Board announced at a press conference that he will lead the side in the one-day and Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka, later this month.

 Read: Pakistan appoint Misbah-ul-Haq as head coach and chief selector

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani added that Babar Azam has been appointed vice-captain in a bid to groom him for future leadership roles.

Ahmed, 34, led Pakistan to victory in the Champions Trophy two years ago, but they have since lost 24 of their 47 ODIs, winning 20 with three no-results.

The 24-year-old Babar, meanwhile, has been Pakistan's best batsman in limited-overs cricket recently.

Mani also stressed that the Sri Lankan team is still set to tour Pakistan, after saying earlier this week that the Sri Lankan board is looking for security assurances from their government.

"We are confident that the series will be held in Pakistan," Mani said.

The ODIs will be played in Karachi on September 27, 29 and October 3, while the three T20s are scheduled for Lahore on October 5, 7 and 9.

Read: Sri Lanka name depleted squads for Pakistan tour

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lindsey Parnaby

Babar Azam’s performance at the recently concluded Cricket World Cup earned him several accolades. It only took him eight innings to enter the record books by scoring most runs (474) by a Pakistani batsman in a World Cup.

His tenure of one ton and three half centuries at the World Cup not only asserted his authority in absolute fashion, but it also forced former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad to say that the 24-year-old is a worthy candidate to lead the team from front. Reacting to it though, the batsman has said that captaining his national side has never really crossed his mind, as his only focus is on his performance.

“It's up to the Pakistan Cricket Board to decide whoever captains the team and in whichever format,�?the 24-year-old told The Cricket Paper.

“The Board will decide who the captain or captains are and the players of course abide by their choice. I've never really thought about captaining Pakistan and have in all honesty only thought about playing for my country.

“I am not someone who craves being captain and I’m more interested in scoring runs for Pakistan. Whoever the Board chooses is the right choice and in fact, I think Sarfaraz Ahmed is fine and is doing a good job at the moment.�?/em>

Despite being level on points with the eventual finalists New Zealand, Pakistan’s elimination from the World Cup came on the back of an inferior run-rate. Speaking about it, the 24-year-old highlighted the fixtures which cost his team a place in the semi-final.

“Two matches really cost us and hit us hard. Firstly there was the heavy loss to West Indies which seriously damaged our Net Run-Rate. And then, the next setback was the defeat to Australia where we were on course to win, but quick wickets hit us hard and we ended up losing a match we should have won.�?/em>

Speaking about the new world champions, England, Babar added that the key for the Three Lions was their opening pair of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow. To add to it, Joe Root’s presence’s further controlled England’s batting order, and the rest of the job was undertaken by the bowlers.

“A team’s openers are crucial in any form of cricket and Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow most of the time gave England excellent starts at the World Cup.

“They were very consistent throughout the tournament and when a team’s openers give you a good start, then the rest of the batting order can work with that and feed off that good start. In England’s case, after the good starts by Roy and Bairstow, there was Joe Root who could come in and control the innings with the rest of the batting unit batting around him.

“When they had runs on the board their bowling attack, which I felt was the best in the tournament, did what was required of them. I know Jofra Archer received a lot of plaudits for his performances at the World Cup, but Chris Woakes was the bowler who I felt was crucial for them. He more often than not took key early wickets and put the opposition batsmen under pressure.�?/em>

Meanwhile, comparisons with the Indian captain, Virat Kohli has always been in and around Azam’s career. But he says he is hardly fazed by it just because they are ‘different types of players�?

“I don't think there is or should be any comparison as we are different types of players. I just focus on my batting and working on my strengths and weaknesses and have no desire to be compared with any other cricketer.

“I'm sure I speak for most cricketers when I say comparisons are only for fans and the media and we cricketers don't really crave any comparisons or want to be compared to any current or former players as that just creates endless pressure. As great as he is, I don't want to be compared to Virat or any other cricketer. I just want to win matches for my country as that is my only aim."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis