PCB chairman confirms Sarfraz Ahmed as Pakistan's captain for ICC World Cup

Islamabad: The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed Sarfraz Ahmed as captain of the national team to the Cricket World Cup in England.

PCB chairman Ehsan Mani says on Tuesday, "Sarfraz has been an integral part of the Pakistan team's World Cup preparations," and he was happy to retain him as captain.

There was speculation in the local media about keeping Sarfraz as the captain after he was banned for four matches last month by the ICC for racially taunting South Africa allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo in a match.

Sarfraz, who met with Mani at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Tuesday, says it is a "dream of any international cricketer to play in a World Cup, but to be appointed captain ... is something that is extremely special."

Pakistan will play limited-overs series against Australia and England in the lead-up to the Cricket World Cup in May.