Sarfraz Ahmed retained as Pakistan captain despite early World Cup exit

Babar Azam has been installed as vice-captain for the one-day and T20 series against Sri Lanka starting in September after much speculation

Pakistan have confirmed Sarfraz Ahmed as captain for the one-day international and T20 series against Sri Lanka starting next month.

The 32-year-old, who is also the Test skipper, has retained the position across both white-ball formats.

It comes despite Pakistan failing to reach the knock-out stage at the World Cup, when they failed to qualify from the group phase.

Babar Azam has been installed as vice-captain for both series. The decision comes a week after Misbah-ul-Haq was confirmed as head coach and chief selector, replacing the outgoing Mickey Arthur.

“I feel humbled and honoured to have been awarded extension to my captaincy term," Sarfraz said. "I have enjoyed captaining the Pakistan cricket team and look forward to improving my leadership qualities under the new set-up of Misbah-ul-Haq who also has a proven record as captain.

“I am aware we have not done justice to our potential in ODIs, which has disappointed us as well as our fans. I am hopeful we will be able to turn things around in the coming season and in this relation, I remain committed to stepping up to the challenge with my performances and captaincy.

“I have complete faith in my team, which has time and again shown the talent, class and charisma it possesses. I assure all our fans we will not leave any stone unturned in our preparations for the forthcoming assignments and will do our best to translate these preparations into solid performances."

Misbah added: "Consistency has been my yardstick for recommending Sarfaraz as captain. Furthermore, I think I am better placed to get the best out of Sarfaraz as I know him better than most of the cricketers as he has played most of his cricket under my captaincy.

"I have emphasised on changing the dressing room culture and mind-set of the players to achieve better results, and I believe Sarfaraz is a perfect fit to help me attain these objectives.

"In the past couple of weeks, Sarfaraz and I have worked together on certain areas of his cricket that will enhance his overall performance. 

"Both of us realise it is a performance-oriented world and we are expected to give our best every time we take the field. I look forward to working with him and hope we will succeed in changing the outlook of the Pakistan cricket team."

Sri Lanka face Pakistan in Karachi on September 27 in the first of three ODIs, before the T20 series begins on October 5 in Lahore.