ISLAMABAD - Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed captainancy is at stake as Pakistan face South Africa in the first Test of the three-match series, which will begin in Centurion from Wednesday.
The focus will be on wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed, whose captaincy in the longest format of the game is on the line as he will gear up for the toughest assignment of his leadership quality in the five-day format.
Ever since taking over the role of leading the side in whites, Sarfraz managed just two series win out of five – against Australia and Ireland – and lost against New Zealand and Sri Lanka while playing in the UAE, something which was unheard of in the time of Misbhaul Haq.
Those defeats led to severe criticism of Sarfraz from different quarters in the cricketing circle in the country, but as of now, he has the backing of coach Mickey Arthur, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani and two of the three-member cricket committee – Wasim Akram and Misbah – to continue leading the side in the five-day format.