5 players who can be Pakistan's captain in One Day Internationals

After the highs of the Test series, Pakistan cricket team were brought down shattering to ground in the following One Day Internationals, where they were smashed 4-1 in the 5-match series.

ODI captain, Azhar Ali has come under a lot of scrutinies after the disastrous performance and there have been clarion calls made to remove him from this post. Many former players have said that it was a mistake appointing the right-hander as the captain in the first place, as his game is not in tune with the modern One Day Cricket.

While Sarfraz Ahmed will assume mantle in the Twenty20 series, we take a look at 5 players who can be the next ODI captain for Pakistan.

#1 Imad Wasim

The all-rounder was one of the finds for Pakistan this series, both with the bat and ball. He came into bat in the lower middle order and scored two defiant half-centuries for his team, which provided a late kick to the innings. He was not shy to express himself both with the bat and then with words.

Also, he was more than handy with the ball with his tweakers and kept it very tight through the middle overs. He displayed the temperament needed to be successful at the international and the selectors could rope him as the skipper and then give him a long rope to express himself.

The 27-year old has already been skipper of Pakistan U-19 team in 2008 and thus has the experience to lead a side. A certain bright prospect going forward.

#2 Sarfraz Ahmed

The wicket-keeper batsman is certainly one of the brightest leadership prospect in the team currently. He has been appointed the captain of the T20 side and his performance will be closely monitored.

Sarfraz is probably the only player in Pakistan who will have his name on the team list in all three formats, and his performances have been very consistent. Thus, he is the only player who can be the captain across all formats if the management is looking beyond Misbah in Test cricket. This will also bring in consistency in the selection and devising tactics.

The 29-year old impressed as a leader during the inaugural season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he lead Quetta Gladiators to the final of the tournament. Thus, he has the merit and the capacity to be the long-term leader in One Day Cricket for Pakistan.

#3 Wahab Riaz

Over the years, bowlers have always been credible captains for Pakistan. For instance, Sarfaraz Nawaz, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis were brilliant as captains during their tenure.

Wahab can thus take this mantle forward if the selectors want to go with history. It is not as if the selection of Wahab will be a shout in oblivion. He is an aggressive fast bowler who believes in making things happen. And thus one can safely say, that he will not let matches meander along and will not hesitate in making bold statements.

Former Pakistan player, Ramiz Raja had already said that Wahab can be the captain of the team after his superb spell against Australia in the 2015 World Cup.

"It's a difficult one because Pakistan have not yet trained a youngster. What I saw of him against Australia convinces me that he's got it in him to make it big as a leader because he showed aggression, passion and emotion and that is what is required right now to put Pakistan cricket back on track", Ramiz had observed after the World Cup match.

Will the selectors be bold enough remains to be seen!

#4 Yasir Shah

One of the biggest success stories for Pakistan in the recent years, leg-spinner Yasir Shah has become a definite match-winner for the side, especially in Test matches. However, he can be an asset even in the limited overs format too.

The selectors should look at the bigger picture going ahead, and give Yasir Shah the long rope both as a player and as a captain in the Limited Overs format.

While this may be a certain off-field decision, but it can be a step in the right direction as the leg-spinner can then enjoy much more confidence even with the white ball.

#5 Mohammed Hafeez

Hafeez has already been tried as a captain in the limited overs format but had to be shunted out because the results were not coming in. However, he can be reinstated as an interim measure, much along the same lines of Mahela Jayawardene for Sri Lanka.

Hafeez has experience, temperament and skills to lead the side, and thus PCB could look at Hafeez once again for a period of 2-3 years, and in the process, he can groom another youngster to take up the mantle in the longer run.

Will the selectors go in with this method, and bring in Hafeez?