Karachi: Inexperienced top-order batsman Azhar Ali was yesterday named as the new Pakistan ODI captain in a surprise move by the cricket Board, succeeding Misbah-ul-Haq who retired from the 50-over format after the cricket World Cup.


Azhar Ali. Pic/AFP 

30-year-old Azhar has played just 14 ODIs since his debut in 2010 and his choice over the likes of Muhammad Hafeez, Fawad Alam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Sohaib Maqsood and veteran batsman Younis Khan has come as a big surprise as he was not even picked in the World Cup squad.