PCB apologises for ill-timed tweet sent out immediately after sacking Sarfaraz

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday apologised for an ill-timed tweet, posted at the time of Sarfaraz Ahmed’s removal as captain of the national time.

The tweet which has been deleted showed a gif of Fakhar Zaman dancing in front of Sarfaraz as he sent off during some training session.

“The PCB apologies for this post and accepts the timing of it was wrong,” PCB said in a tweet.

The board further said, “This was a pre-planned post as part of the one-year to go T20 WorldCup promotional campaign. The timing of this post clashed with the captaincy announcement for which the PCB offers its regrets.”

Sarfaraz was removed as Test and T20I captain after a drop in his overall form during the past few series.

Senior batsman Azhar Ali will replace Sarfaraz as Test skipper, while Babar Azam will lead the T20I side.

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

Azam has been appointed skipper until next year's T20 World Cup in Australia, while Azhar will remain in charge for the 2019-2020 season.

Read also: PCB revokes accreditation of reporter who ‘misbehaved’ with Sarfaraz

Sarfaraz 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.

"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 T20 internationals in Australia in November ahead of two Test matches.