“I would advise Sarfaraz to think about it and retire from Test cricket" : Ramiz Raja

[MenInG]

Raja, now a commentator, said a former captain and senior player of Sarfaraz’s stature carrying drinks, although not rare in cricket, is frowned upon in Pakistan.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja believes wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed should retire from Tests and focus on white ball cricket.

Sarfaraz, a former captain, was seen performing the duties of 12th man in the series opener between England and Pakistan in Manchester.

“In my book I am clear once you have been captain and remained on a pedestal then it is very difficult to come down and be on the bench,” Raja, who is also a well-known commentator, said on the Youtube channel, Cricket Baaz.

“I would advise Sarfaraz to think about it and retire from Test cricket and just focus on white ball cricket, a format in which he is very good and known for his aggression,” he added.


Raja, who featured in 57 Tests, said a former captain and senior player of Sarfaraz’s stature carrying drinks, although not rare in cricket, is frowned upon in Pakistan.

“There is nothing wrong with that because even James Anderson carried drinks when he didn’t play in the second Test against West Indies. But in our cricket culture these things are not looked upon nicely and if they involve a former captain,” Raja said.

“I don’t see him getting a chance in the Test format soon so he should focus on white ball cricket where he will play and be respected as well,” he added.

Raja feels the presence of Sarfaraz in the squad also adds pressure on Mohammad Rizwan, who kept the wickets for Pakistan in the first Test.

“He being in the Test squad also adds pressure on Mohammad Rizwan who knows there is a former captain keeper breathing down his neck and that is not good for him. I think Sarfaraz should not be on the bench. He should call it a day from Test cricket.”

Sarfaraz was removed as captain from all three formats last year in a sudden move by the Pakistan Cricket Board but made a comeback to the national squad for the tour of England due to the unusual circumstances arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 33-year-old, who has appeared in 49 Tests, 116 ODIs and 58 T20Is, led Pakistan to the 2017 Champions Trophy title against India.

Under his captaincy Pakistan reached the number one position in the shortest format of the game.

Pakistan’s chances
Raja feels Pakistan has a good chance of bouncing back in the three-Test series as England will be missing the services of its star all-rounder Ben Stokes for family reasons.

“Stokes is the world’s top all-rounder with bat and ball and a game changer. I think Pakistan can definitely take advantage of the situation.”

Talking about the match, Raja said he was disappointed to see Pakistan pacers not bowling short pitched balls to Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes.

“It is frustrating to digest the defeat after having dominated the Test for majority sessions,” he said.

“I was surprised Jos Butler, who was under pressure to get runs, to keep his place in the England team and Chris Woakes,who is primarily a tailender, were not tested by short pitched balls and the fast bowlers.

“Even the field settings for them when Yasir (Shah) was bowling were not good enough.”

https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cric...e-ball-cricket-ramiz-raja/article32325814.ece

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Is he guaranteed to get into the ODI team espeiclaly with rohail nazir around the corner

 

[Amoeba]

Typical idiotic / small-minded thinking by establishment man Raja who only played because of his connections and he knows it. He could have praised Sarfraz for not having any airs and graces - for still willing to part of the team. He could argue that put pressure on Rizwan is a good thing but of course that is beyond his comprehension.

Feel sorry for Sarfraz. I never wanted him as test captain but in the one-dayers, despite his flaws, the team were a bit of luck away from the WC semis....having finally discovered that their strength lay in their batting.

I like Rizwan but Sarfraz is still the best keeper batsman we have ever produced and thus should be in the test team.

 

[MenInG]

Why should Sarfaraz retire? He can still do well in domestic and make a comeback (as he has done now by being in the squad)

 

[AdamM97]

The outrage over Sarfaraz being a waterboy is so stupid. Even Kohli has carried drinks before and he’s 10x the player and captain that Sarfaraz is/was.

Need to get rid of this silly colonial mindset.

 

[Rana]

This is a social issue. Sarfaraz more often than not has been a symbol of the society that is being represented in Pakistan.

Pakistanis really need to get a grip with their over inflated egos. We have a long, long way to go as a society before pride and ego can be justified.

 

[Savak]

What about Azhar Ali?

 

[Zaz]

Typical idiotic / small-minded thinking by establishment man Raja who only played because of his connections and he knows it. He could have praised Sarfraz for not having any airs and graces - for still willing to part of the team. He could argue that put pressure on Rizwan is a good thing but of course that is beyond his comprehension.

Feel sorry for Sarfraz. I never wanted him as test captain but in the one-dayers, despite his flaws, the team were a bit of luck away from the WC semis....having finally discovered that their strength lay in their batting.

I like Rizwan but Sarfraz is still the best keeper batsman we have ever produced and thus should be in the test team.

This he should be praising and applauding sarfys professionalism not asking him to retire

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Raja, now a commentator, said a former captain and senior player of Sarfaraz’s stature carrying drinks, although not rare in cricket, is frowned upon in Pakistan.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja believes wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed should retire from Tests and focus on white ball cricket.

Sarfaraz, a former captain, was seen performing the duties of 12th man in the series opener between England and Pakistan in Manchester.

“In my book I am clear once you have been captain and remained on a pedestal then it is very difficult to come down and be on the bench,” Raja, who is also a well-known commentator, said on the Youtube channel, Cricket Baaz.

“I would advise Sarfaraz to think about it and retire from Test cricket and just focus on white ball cricket, a format in which he is very good and known for his aggression,” he added.


Raja, who featured in 57 Tests, said a former captain and senior player of Sarfaraz’s stature carrying drinks, although not rare in cricket, is frowned upon in Pakistan.

“There is nothing wrong with that because even James Anderson carried drinks when he didn’t play in the second Test against West Indies. But in our cricket culture these things are not looked upon nicely and if they involve a former captain,” Raja said.

“I don’t see him getting a chance in the Test format soon so he should focus on white ball cricket where he will play and be respected as well,” he added.

Raja feels the presence of Sarfaraz in the squad also adds pressure on Mohammad Rizwan, who kept the wickets for Pakistan in the first Test.

“He being in the Test squad also adds pressure on Mohammad Rizwan who knows there is a former captain keeper breathing down his neck and that is not good for him. I think Sarfaraz should not be on the bench. He should call it a day from Test cricket.”

Sarfaraz was removed as captain from all three formats last year in a sudden move by the Pakistan Cricket Board but made a comeback to the national squad for the tour of England due to the unusual circumstances arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 33-year-old, who has appeared in 49 Tests, 116 ODIs and 58 T20Is, led Pakistan to the 2017 Champions Trophy title against India.

Under his captaincy Pakistan reached the number one position in the shortest format of the game.

Pakistan’s chances
Raja feels Pakistan has a good chance of bouncing back in the three-Test series as England will be missing the services of its star all-rounder Ben Stokes for family reasons.

“Stokes is the world’s top all-rounder with bat and ball and a game changer. I think Pakistan can definitely take advantage of the situation.”

Talking about the match, Raja said he was disappointed to see Pakistan pacers not bowling short pitched balls to Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes.

“It is frustrating to digest the defeat after having dominated the Test for majority sessions,” he said.

“I was surprised Jos Butler, who was under pressure to get runs, to keep his place in the England team and Chris Woakes,who is primarily a tailender, were not tested by short pitched balls and the fast bowlers.

“Even the field settings for them when Yasir (Shah) was bowling were not good enough.”

https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cric...e-ball-cricket-ramiz-raja/article32325814.ece

Basically he is still carrying that senior-junior book that he used to carry in his playing days. Sarfaraz is in this team because he has a chance to play for Pakistan again. Even Dhoni has played under Kohli, so it is not that big a deal.

 

[Major]

Na. Sarfraz is still the second best man for the keeping and batting job.

Rizwan is better, but its good to have a back up and if rizwan doesnt fix his spot than get sarfraz in

 

[El Generico]

Ramiz Raja seems to have something personal against Sarafraz lol. Pakistan just suffered one of their more painful test defeats and Ramiz Raja chooses to focus on a guy who wasn’t even in the playing XI.

 

[JaDed]

As if Ramiz has best intentions for Sarfaraz..

 

[Suleiman]

I don’t like Sarfraz as a player in any format, but why should he retire when his competition (so far) hasn’t really inspired much hope? Off spin, wicket keeping and batting in general is where there is a dearth of good players for Pakistan (of what we have seen at the national level- I don’t watch domestics), so why shouldn’t he back himself despite his limitations?

It’s the job of the selectors to sieve out players not good enough- can’t blame Sarfraz for trying. And I’m saying this as someone who has a soft spot for Rizwan, he hasn’t come good yet but I hope he does.

 

[ManFan]

What has Sarfraz done in any recent test to warrant him as the replacement for Rizwan besides notoriety?

Batting? Keeping? Anything?

 

[hitthestump]

The problem isn't that Safaraz was carrying drinks... the problem is that it was a problem!

As time goes on this 'izzat' mindset in the Pakistan camp seems to be getting worse rather than better. Everytime a youngster performs he feels he has to mention his seniors in the post-match interview. And now former captains cannot carry drinks.

 

[unemployedgm]

It’s funny because the concept of ‘izzat’ eludes most of us.

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

This sarfraz should be kicked out. I don't understand why was he called into team.He has been pathetic in every format with the bat and gloves.One of the worst player to play for Pakistan.it's all that loser misbah's fault.

 

[Amoeba]

For those who think Safraz is the worst player ever (I thought that was Azhar Ali.....Pakistani fans certainly don't do anything by halves) name me a better keeper batsman in Pakistan's entire test history.

Hint - It's not Rashid Latif....as he hardly played.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

For those who think Safraz is the worst player ever (I thought that was Azhar Ali.....Pakistani fans certainly don't do anything by halves) name me a better keeper batsman in Pakistan's entire test history.

Hint - It's not Rashid Latif....as he hardly played.

 

[Markhor]

Says everything about how diseased Pakistan's cricketing mentality is when, after a heartbreaking Test defeat, that Sarfraz carrying drinks is actually a talking point.

Are you frickin' kidding me ?! Only in Pakistan is there an expectation that everyone should kiss the feet of senior players.

 

[sweep_shot]

Since Rizwan is doing well with the gloves, I don't see Sarfaraz getting any chance. He should retire from Test and just play ODI and T20.

 

[TeymurBlake]

All Sarfaraz has done is sit on the bench.

 

[El Generico]

For some reason it seems like Ramiz always had an issue with Sarfarz, not sure why. I could be wrong but my impression is that Ramiz and lot of “elite class” types didn’t like the fact that an “unpolished” guy like Sarfaraz rose to the top and became captain. They rather have “educated” guys like Azhar and Shan leading the team.

 

[ZamanFan]

The outrage over Sarfaraz being a waterboy is so stupid. Even Kohli has carried drinks before and he’s 10x the player and captain that Sarfaraz is/was.

Need to get rid of this silly colonial mindset.

Kohli carried the drinks for one odd match. Misbah will make Sarfaraz carry the drinks for the whole series or will keep him on the benches. I had opposed Sarfaraz selection and hoped that he refuses himself, the contract issue forced him.

Even Rashid Latif sensed the politics and backed out. This current setup is a mafia installed gambit.

 

[Hasan123]

Why is there so much talk about this average player ? Why can't we just move on from him?

With Misbah as coach and selector would not be shocked to see Misbah play Sarfraz at 35/36.

 

[Plumb]

My advice to Ramiz is take a chill pill and retire from commentary. You not making sense these days... recall your days of how you leached on to the team for soo long

 

[Firebat]

If Sarfaraz really retired so soon after being dropped from the format just because he carried the drinks, instead of putting his head down and working hard to improve and win a place back, it shows he really isn't a good enough player and it vindicates management's decision to drop him even further.

 

[ExplicitAI]

I wouldn't mind having Sarfraz in the Test team provided he can still play at the same tempo around 2014 where he was sweeping the ball to the fence relentlessly, I do think his time is up for ODI's and that it would be a waste to invest in him for LOI's.

 

[The Viper]

Ramiz Raja really has no respect. Sarfaraz still is the second best WK in Pakistan and he deserves the chance to fight for his spot. He is not moaning that he is on the bench, only those in the media are.

 

[hb787]

What has Sarfraz done in any recent test to warrant him as the replacement for Rizwan besides notoriety?

Batting? Keeping? Anything?

Nothing

 

[coy0607]

Nothing new here. Just Ramiz saying stupid stuff to try and get some YouTube views, embarrassing himself as usual

 

[MenInG]

So does Ramiz have a point, given Mohammad Rizwan's all-round capabilities?

 

[srh]

This should be end of Sarfraz Ahmed's international career

The only place where Sarfraz Ahmed could have get in the Pakistan national team was in Test team and now that door is closed with Rizwan performing very good wicket keeping and not too bad batting. So adios Sarfraz Ahmed.

 

[Hadi Rizvi]

Someone needs to tell Ramiz that he's a nobody and no one takes him seriously anymore.

Age has caught up with him and his ideas/strategies are getting more idiotic.

Saifi on the bench keeps Rizwan honest and Saifi as a backup keeper is excellent.

 

[Junaids]

Why should Sarfaraz retire? He can still do well in domestic and make a comeback (as he has done now by being in the squad)

I admire Sarfraz for being humble and making himself available to be Rizwan’s understudy.

But I think it’s a terrible mistake by Misbah.

This team is far too old, and needs to groom the next generation.

Rohail Nazir should be the understudy, not a man who is 33 years old.

 

[El Generico]

The only place where Sarfraz Ahmed could have get in the Pakistan national team was in Test team and now that door is closed with Rizwan performing very good wicket keeping and not too bad batting. So adios Sarfraz Ahmed.

Not really, Rizwan’s batting in limited overs cricket especially T20s has been his biggest weakness. He couldn’t even make Karachi Kings XI. I won’t be too surprised if we see Sarfaraz played limited overs cricket again but his test career is probably done.

 

[Bewal Express]

Sarfraz must not retire for Rizwans sake. He is still good enough to be a test keeper and if he stays around Rizwan keeps developing and doesnt become complacent

 

[Saj]

Never say never in Pakistan cricket.

In true Pakistani cricket style - 2026 Sarfaraz Ahmed will be recalled to the Test team after Rizwan has a poor series.

 

[srh]

Not really, Rizwan’s batting in limited overs cricket especially T20s has been his biggest weakness. He couldn’t even make Karachi Kings XI. I won’t be too surprised if we see Sarfaraz played limited overs cricket again but his test career is probably done.

You misunderstood me. When I said Sarfraz could have made the Test team, it did not mean I want Rizwan in ODIs / T20Is. May be in ODIs as a stopgap but definitely not in T20Is. Pakistan should invest in Bismillah Khan for T20Is. And for ODIs Pakistan should find someone better than Rizwan. But Sarfraz is a misfit for ODIs & T20Is.

 

[El Generico]

You misunderstood me. When I said Sarfraz could have made the Test team, it did not mean I want Rizwan in ODIs / T20Is. May be in ODIs as a stopgap but definitely not in T20Is. Pakistan should invest in Bismillah Khan for T20Is. And for ODIs Pakistan should find someone better than Rizwan. But Sarfraz is a misfit for ODIs & T20Is.

Bismillah Khan has kind of fallen off the radar but he is not a bad option. I think as of now Zeeshan Ashraf is probably a better T20 selection . For ODIs, I would pick Rohail. But if it’s between Rizwan and Sarfaraz then I would pick the latter for LOI cricket.

 

[moghul]

Why we ask pathetic players like Sarfraz, Azhar, Misbah ( at his time ) Hafeez and Shaifiq to retire if they have not been performing for long , why not asking selectors not select them.