Rizwan or Sarfaraz? Confusion over Pakistan’s stand-in captain after Babar misses Day 3 vs New Zealand

Pakistan vs New Zealand, 1st Test: Sarfaraz Ahmed, who returned to the Test Xi for the primary time since January 2019, stood in as captain on Day 3 after Babar Azam missed motion in Karachi. Mohammad Rizwan got here on as an alternative fielder.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 28, 2022 12:13 IST

Sarfaraz Ahmed returned to Pakistan’s Test Xi for the primary time in practically 4 years (AFP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Pakistan captain Babar Azam didn’t take the sector on Day 3 of the first Test in opposition to New Zealand in Karachi. The skipper, who hit 161 within the first innings, was seen on the sector within the final two classes on Day 2 however he was not on the sector, marshaling the troops on the National Stadium.

Babar Azam, in accordance with native media, was down with flu whilst the tv cameras noticed him within the dressing room within the workforce’s coaching package.

As it turned out, Sarfaraz Ahmed, who had returned to the Test facet for the primary time in practically 4 years, was named because the designated stand-in captain. Sarfaraz was seen taking DRS calls and he even obtained one spot on when Nauman Ali appealed for LBW in opposition to Devon Conway. After session with the bowler, the previous captain took the assessment and obtained the on-field umpire’s not out choice overturned.

The confusion erupted when Mohammad Rizwan, who walked in as an alternative fielder initially of the day’s play was calling the pictures. Rizwan, who was dropped from the first Test after a sequence of poor outings in opposition to England earlier within the 12 months, was setting the fields and having chats with bowlers.

A bit of followers have been questioning if Rizwan was main the facet after having are available as an alternative fielder. However, the International Cricket Council guidelines recommend {that a} substitute cannot lead or bowl in a match.

According to MCC’s 24.1.2 legislation, “A substitute shall not bowl or act as captain but may act as wicket-keeper only with the consent of the umpires,” he added.

Things grew to become clear when Sarfaraz referred to as for the assessment within the first session but it surely was Rizwan who was taking good care of the adjustments and area settings.

Rizwan managed scores of 29, 46, 10, 30, 19, 7 within the 3-Test sequence in opposition to England as Pakistan slipped to a 3-0 whitewash in a Test sequence for the primary time at house.

On the opposite hand, Sarfaraz, who obtained a chance in Tests for the primary time since January 2019, hit 86 within the first innings as Pakistan posted 438 on the board.

New Zealand got here up with a robust response because the opening pair of Tom Latham and Conway added 183 runs. Conway departed for 92 however Latham carried on and hit his thirteenth Test hundred.

Published On:

Dec 28, 2022