"I'm still learning, I don't think that I've won CT and am now some great captain" : Sarfraz Ahmed

[Abdullah719]

"I'm still learning, I don't think that I've won CT and am now some great captain" : Sarfraz Ahmed

Sarfraz Ahmed speaking on TV:

"I think this is the happiest moment of my career and it's a big achievement for myself and my family."

"Our motto when we reached for the CT was that we wanted to win the tournament."

"All of us made a lot of mistakes in the first match against India and we were very low on confidence."

"I haven't seen a similar welcome by the fans compared to the one we got on our arrival back home after winning the CT. Maybe there was a similar reception for the 92 team but I was very young then."

"I was surprised at the number of people when I returned to Karachi, the time wasn't optimal and weather was hot but there were so many people at the airport and at my home. I was very happy and excited."

"In the World Cup there are four quarter-finalists and more teams in the tournament, in the CT there's just eight teams and even one loss can make the next match a knockout so it's a tough tournament."

"Nowadays there is a lot of pressure due to media and social media. Everyone is giving their own advice about who to play and drop. So we know if we lose, there will be a lot of criticism and that's in the back of our minds."

"Imran Khan is right, the 92 team had Javed bhai, Wasim bhai, Saleem Malik and other big names. This team has mostly young players, even I myself am not too experienced in terms of matches played, only Hafeez and Malik were the experience players in our team so our team was quite young compared to the 92 team."

"I accept that I made mistakes in the group stage match against India and we didn't bowl and field well. We didn't put up a fight at all."

"We took a bold decision to include Fakhar Zaman, we weren't scared and we were positive with the right intentions. In the first match, Fakhar made an impact. The opening partnership sets a tone and Fakhar and Azhar did that consistently."

"Fakhar was given complete authority to play as he wanted to. We did speak to him after a couple of matches that if he stays at the wicket then he can look to play a long innings and he did just that."

"I think my understanding with Mickey Arthur is steadily improving. Like against SL at Cardiff, the boundaries were short and it was a fresh pitch so we opted to play Faheem instead of Shadab. We weren't scared of making any decisions. Against England, same ground and used pitch, we wanted to play Shadab and we did that."

"PSL has made a big difference. International and domestic cricket differs because of crowd pressure. We've seen 4-5 players come to the national team due to PSL performances. When they get used to playing big matches then they don't feel pressure on the big stage."

"During the SL match when Amir came to bat, I told him to not focus on the score and to just bat. When there were around 40 runs left, I suddenly felt nervous and gave them a couple of chances but thankfully they weren't taken."

"I'm still learning, I don't think that I've won the CT and am now some great captain. In cricket, you are learning every day. I try to not repeat the same mistakes."

"I told my bowlers that I want wickets and I trust them, they should tell me what field they want."

"There's no truth to rumours that I don't take advice from seniors. Hafeez bhai and Shoaib bhai give me advice and I also go to them."

"Being captain of the country is a big honour."

"Being captain of a country isn't an easy thing for anyone, specially in Pakistan where you know that one mistake will get you in trouble. Thankfully things are going well and I am trying to enjoy it. I try to help my team whenever I can."

"I don't think that I've played a lot of cricket, I think it's starting days for me and I have a lot to learn and a lot to do for Pakistan."

"When I see the ICC Trophy, I think I still have a lot to do for Pakistan and haven't done anything yet. We will try to bring consistency in the Pakistan team. We want to now forget the CT and look forward to the upcoming series and do well."

 

[Inswing]

"I told my bowlers that I want wickets and I trust them, they should tell me what field they want."

Now that is something we all want from our captain

 

[Sherlock]

"I told my bowlers that I want wickets and I trust them, they should tell me what field they want."

That was something I picked up on as-well. That's good hear and witness first-hand too.

 

[PakLFC]

Good to hear that. He is doing well at the moment, lets leave it at that.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Good to hear.

 

[MenInG]

Sensible stuff from Sarfraz and really nice to hear that he has a stable head on his shoulders

 

[Square Drive]

Brilliant attitude.

Great captain.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Waiting for the people who call him arrogant to some how critique him for this statement

 

[Naseef]

He always seemed to be the de facto captain after Misbah...however whatever happens is for the good and may this guy taste more success as captain in shaa Allah!!

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Good comments

 

[waleed88]

According to Imran Khan PSL had no role to play in the development of the players... or them performing the way they did in CT...

It was all raw talent that didn't get any grooming, they are here despite the redundant system we have

 

[MMHS]

According to Imran Khan PSL had no role to play in the development of the players... or them performing the way they did in CT...

It was all raw talent that didn't get any grooming, they are here despite the redundant system we have

Imran was spot on - you are interpreting wrongly. 4 weeks doesn't teach anyone cricket, neither 20 overs unleashes some talent.

It's PAK's misfortune that a T20 tournament is the final saviour of the cricket there. PSL is shinning here because there is nothing else - ideally it's just a 4 weeks money making circus, which should have worked with finished products & mercenaries.

What you are saying is like Real Madrid & PSG are unleashing all the talents of Spain & France because Real made Asencion's buy out clause 350m US while, PSG can bid 150mn for Mbappee.....

 

[msb314]

Sensible stuff from Sarfraz and really nice to hear that he has a stable head on his shoulders

Let's hope it stays that way and his leadership skills continue to develop.

 

[waleed88]

Imran was spot on - you are interpreting wrongly. 4 weeks doesn't teach anyone cricket, neither 20 overs unleashes some talent.

It's PAK's misfortune that a T20 tournament is the final saviour of the cricket there. PSL is shinning here because there is nothing else - ideally it's just a 4 weeks money making circus, which should have worked with finished products & mercenaries.

What you are saying is like Real Madrid & PSG are unleashing all the talents of Spain & France because Real made Asencion's buy out clause 350m US while, PSG can bid 150mn for Mbappee.....

IPL is also credited for the success of Indian teams... which Imran lauds as well, but can't find two words of praise for our very own league, the guy is petty as a peasant when it comes to his own countrymen

 

[MMHS]

IPL is also credited for the success of Indian teams... which Imran lauds as well, but can't find two words of praise for our very own league, the guy is petty as a peasant when it comes to his own countrymen

Never heard him praising IPL, but might be true.

IPL has it's contribution to Indian team's success in terms of exposure with top players, experience of playing high intensity matches, financial security. PSL has done so as well.

You are talking about development of player, which contributed to CT - I don't agree with that. May be some part in terms giving confidence, but PSL was there in 2016 as well & we saw PAK team playing under Azhar

It's a combination of many factors - Arthur (strategy & combination), Sarfraz (leadership & on-field execution), Mahmood (bowling development), Inzi (selection) .... PSL as well, but very little. Also, you can find in my old posts - talent or skill was never, never an issue - what was required is a platform where players can play high intensity matches among top tier players, because over 80% of this game is mental aspect, which doesn't develop in Quaid E Azam style. In that regard, PAK Cup also had it's input, because I do like the concept.

 

[waleed88]

Never heard him praising IPL, but might be true.

IPL has it's contribution to Indian team's success in terms of exposure with top players, experience of playing high intensity matches, financial security. PSL has done so as well.

You are talking about development of player, which contributed to CT - I don't agree with that. May be some part in terms giving confidence, but PSL was there in 2016 as well & we saw PAK team playing under Azhar

It's a combination of many factors - Arthur (strategy & combination), Sarfraz (leadership & on-field execution), Mahmood (bowling development), Inzi (selection) .... PSL as well, but very little. Also, you can find in my old posts - talent or skill was never, never an issue - what was required is a platform where players can play high intensity matches among top tier players, because over 80% of this game is mental aspect, which doesn't develop in Quaid E Azam style. In that regard, PAK Cup also had it's input, because I do like the concept.

Yes maybe we should make you captain, since you seem to know more about it than Sarf, who is saying PSL played a big role

 

[Macho Mann]

Never heard him praising IPL, but might be true.

IPL has it's contribution to Indian team's success in terms of exposure with top players, experience of playing high intensity matches, financial security. PSL has done so as well.

You are talking about development of player, which contributed to CT - I don't agree with that. May be some part in terms giving confidence, but PSL was there in 2016 as well & we saw PAK team playing under Azhar

It's a combination of many factors - Arthur (strategy & combination), Sarfraz (leadership & on-field execution), Mahmood (bowling development), Inzi (selection) .... PSL as well, but very little. Also, you can find in my old posts - talent or skill was never, never an issue - what was required is a platform where players can play high intensity matches among top tier players, because over 80% of this game is mental aspect, which doesn't develop in Quaid E Azam style. In that regard, PAK Cup also had it's input, because I do like the concept.

Yes maybe we should make you captain, since you seem to know more about it than Sarf, who is saying PSL played a big role

he praised PSL and said something

1) he said that players who were performing in the domestic came under the eyes of media and people thronged to the stadiums due to the international status of PSL and watched their performance and millions saw their live telecast

2) so it was PSL's media coverage that helped players who were performing in domestic and who were not getting the attention due to poor domestic coverage got it through PSL

PSL is helping players get media attention who were performing in the domestic

this was sarfraz's point

but my point is, not all players who are performing in domestic for example fawad alam, khurrum manzur are getting chances in PSL, and many those who are winning awards in PSL for example sohail han are getting refused by PCB management thus many talented and performing and deserving players are not getting any chances because of that.

pakistani domestic needs adequate media coverage and the same status being given to PSL and only then all deserving players will be able to get highlight and chance in pakistani team

not all players are getting selected from PSL and prime example is sohail khan and many others

 

[MMHS]

Yes maybe we should make you captain, since you seem to know more about it than Sarf, who is saying PSL played a big role

Looks like those "discussion" in Babar thread has got better of if your nerve.

This post started when you tried to bring someone of your dislike uncalled for ...... someone who happend to be a former Captain as well & may be a bit more reputed than Sarfraz

 

[shaz619]

Never heard him praising IPL, but might be true.

IPL has it's contribution to Indian team's success in terms of exposure with top players, experience of playing high intensity matches, financial security. PSL has done so as well.

You are talking about development of player, which contributed to CT - I don't agree with that. May be some part in terms giving confidence, but PSL was there in 2016 as well & we saw PAK team playing under Azhar

It's a combination of many factors - Arthur (strategy & combination), Sarfraz (leadership & on-field execution), Mahmood (bowling development), Inzi (selection) .... PSL as well, but very little. Also, you can find in my old posts - talent or skill was never, never an issue - what was required is a platform where players can play high intensity matches among top tier players, because over 80% of this game is mental aspect, which doesn't develop in Quaid E Azam style. In that regard, PAK Cup also had it's input, because I do like the concept.

I agree with MMHS here, it is naive for anyone to assume a 4 week mickey mouse tournament is the sole reason for Pak triumph; beyond the exposure players got playing with big names in pressure scenario I think the biggest advantage has been in the selectors given the youngsters who did well in the PSL a chance when often they get lost in the shuffle playing domestic cricket in Pakistan.

Besides that it has been Arther, Sarfraz and an on point team balance which have been pivotal, that's not to say Pak infrastructure all of a sudden is world class when there is definitely room for improvement. Posters either are overly biased against Imran so will spew rubbish or have x or y agenda against posters who are objective after their nerves are hit.

 

[MMHS]

I agree with MMHS here, it is naive for anyone to assume a 4 week mickey mouse tournament is the sole reason for Pak triumph; beyond the exposure players got playing with big names in pressure scenario I think the biggest advantage has been in the selectors given the youngsters who did well in the PSL a chance when often they get lost in the shuffle playing domestic cricket in Pakistan.

Besides that it has been Arther, Sarfraz and an on point team balance which have been pivotal, that's not to say Pak infrastructure all of a sudden is world class when there is definitely room for improvement. Posters either are overly biased against Imran so will spew rubbish or have x or y agenda against posters who are objective after their nerves are hit.

There was no PSL or any T20 leagues 10 years back - cricket wasn't goli- danda that time in PAK.

The youth exposure you mentioned has very little input from PSL to be honest. Rather it's Arthur first who wanted to bring the average age down (fitness record of experience bunch almost forced him there), then Sarfraz who backed youngsters on field.

For example, Fakhar Zaman had a 50/90 stats in domestics for best part of 5 years now - he wasn't picked by previous selectors, coach or captains; now suddenly it can't be that couple of 50s at PSL has plucked him from thin air. I can go on - more than Shadab's debut in PSL, Saud Shakeel had a far better debut season in QA trophy 2015 season..... he couldn't make it that time & now isn't part of A team or HP coaching. Abbas is picked now, after 3/4 years being among the top of the bowling chart. Last burning example is probably Haris.

Shadab, Hasan Ali, Sharjeel, Babar & Fakhar should thank their lucky stars that Arthur is coach now & he has some authority. Otherwise, I won't have been surprised to see Manzoor, Imran Farhat or Salman Butt to open in CT.

PSL is just fun cricket - money making tool selling cheap entertainment. IPL helped Indian cricket in terms of developing infrastructures, payment structure in domestics, giving power to BCCI - PSL will be a failure in couple of years to develop PAK cricket, if that PSL riches isn't channelized to mass level cricket in domestics.

What PSL is doing is similar to what oil rich Middle East did for soccer 30 years back - top European/Latin coach picking 35 young players & groom them like a coaching centre to qualify for next WC in the easiest of zones - Asia. But, Saudi Arab, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait .... didn't establish their league, didn't develop system that can phase out generation - look today where are they & where is Iran, Korea, Japan, even Thailand.

PSL's only, only output can be financial & to an extent administrative muscle to PCB - unless that's used properly .... you can read the history of New York Cosmos. Imran summarized that in one line - which only he can do in PAK with authority, because he did walk the talk.

 

[waleed88]

Looks like those "discussion" in Babar thread has got better of if your nerve.

This post started when you tried to bring someone of your dislike uncalled for ...... someone who happend to be a former Captain as well & may be a bit more reputed than Sarfraz��

There is no one more reputed than Sarfraz currently in the Pakistan cricket team, both nationally and Internationally

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Very good statement. Keep your feet on the ground and go on to achieve greater things.

He's got maybe 2 world cups in him.

 

[Cricket24/7]

Sensible stuff from Sarfraz and really nice to hear that he has a stable head on his shoulders

True.... hopefully he will continue the sameeee

 

[Fantasy]

He comes across as someone who is very down to earth.Needs to keep his feet on ground and hopefully we'll have more successes under him(and Arthur).