Azhar Ali's ODI captaincy to be in line if Pakistan fails to win series against Sri Lanka

KARACHI: Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali's captaincy tenure in one-day internationals might be short-lived if he is not able to inspire the national team to a series win over Sri Lanka in the on-going five-match rubber.

The National selection committee and many others have not been impressed with Azhar's captaincy so far, particularly the way Pakistan squandered the opportunity to beat Sri Lanka in the second one-day internationals, a well-informed source close to the national team and the selectors told PTI today.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are locked one all in the series which is a must win for the green shirts if they want to qualify for the 2017 Champions Trophy.

Although Pakistan has a triangular one-day series to play in August-September in Zimbabwe with West Indies before the ICC s ODI team rankings are announced on Sept 31st but if it fails to win the series in Sri Lanka it could be in a very difficult position to qualify for the Champions Trophy.

The source disclosed that the national selectors were having second thoughts about Azhar's ability to build the ODI squad and make it more aggressive and positive minded.

If Pakistan does not win the series in Sri Lanka the selectors are likely to talk to the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman and top officials and recommend the name of wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed to be given charge of the ODI squad, the source disclosed.

Sarfaraz is presently vice-captain to Azhar in ODIs and to Shahid Afridi in T20 cricket.

Basically the selectors are thinking on lines that after the World T20 next year in March-April Pakistan would be better served having one captain for the limited overs format and Azhar being given charge of the test squad, the source said.

Although Azhar has just captained the team in eight ODIs so far including three each against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe and two in Sri Lanka his captaincy style has failed to evoke confidence in the cricket community.

He lost all three ODIs in Bangladesh but then led Pakistan to a clean sweep over Zimbabwe at home.

His own form since deciding to open the innings in ODIs as captain has been good as he has piled up scores of 72, 36, 101, 79, 102, 46, 21 and 79 but his critics point out his batting style does not suit the way ODIs are played these days when teams are regularly racking up totals of 300 plus and secondly by opening he upsets the batting balance of the team.