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Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed optimistic ahead of England tour

hadi123

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KARACHI: Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed on Saturday said that he loved playing in Karachi during the recently concluded series against West Indies and is now hoping for the best in the upcoming tour of England, ARY News reported.

Sarfraz while talking to the ARY news said that England tour has always been a tough task for the team but he is hoping that the selection committee would frame the best possible squad to compete strongly against the opponents.

“The conditions are a bit tough there as compare to subcontinent but no worries we will prepare ourselves according to the situation,” Sarfraz said.

About the inclusion of young gun Fawad Alam’s inclusion in players called for fitness, skills camp, Sarfraz said that it was good to hear that the selection committee had contacted these players who were performing consistently in domestic seasons, but added that he cannot comment on which players will be picked.

“The players were in the eyes of selectors that’s why they have been asked to join the camp; hopefully we will form a good combination for the series,” said the Pakistan skipper.

Sarfraz, who now has the distinction of leading an unbeatable T20 side, said that he has worked hard on his batting to make it better and with time it will get improved.

“To improve yourself you need hard work, the same I did and in upcoming times you will be watching some more changes in my batting,”

Sarfraz, who also leads PSL franchise Quetta Gladiators, once again praised the efforts of the PCB to stage two back to back high-quality cricketing events in Karachi.

He also thanked the fans who marked their presence at the stadium on both occasions which showed the world that Pakistan is no more a “no-go-zone”.

“Staging the PSL final and then the West Indies series, I think were the huge steps which might pave the way for some more cricketing events in near future,” said Sarfraz.

The PCB successfully staged two PSL 4 Play-offs in Lahore followed by Grand Finale at National Stadium Karachi on 25 March. The event pulled the attention of the whole world and showcased a positive image of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, a three-match T20I series against West Indies gave Karachiites a ray of hope for the revival of cricket in the city.

https://arysports.tv/pakistan-sarfraz-ahmed-optimistic-england/
 
'Unbeatable T20 side' is a bit of a stretch I'd say at this point :)

Are they going early to prepare for English conditions? Hope they are.
 
A batting line up of Shan, Azhar, Asad, Sarfraz, etc, on a green track, even against Ireland, would be a risky business, lol. I just hope Ireland doesn't treat us with a green wicket, as our weak batting line up will crumble in no time.
 
Fawad Alam's selection is a must, going forward, as he is a proven performer on a green track. His first hundred was on a green track in SL, if I remember correctly.
 
I feel Sarfraz is not cut for Test captaincy, as he is an extreme reactionary fellow, while Test cricket requires patience, thats why Misbah was more successful in Test cricket compared to limited overs cricket.
 
Disaster awaits.

With Sarfraz's revolutionary leadership and communication skills (along with supreme fitness and batting against swing), it'll be one heck of a sight.
 
Think Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali would be a good opening partnership, would like to see Imam-ul-Haq considered too.
 
Pakistan performed well in previous ENG tour so expecting them to go one step further and win series in Eng this time
And they have team to accomplish ths
 
Good news that Azhar Ali is opening - Mickey and Sarfraz got that badly wrong in UAE but with the rest of the batting line up a whitewash is only the result I can envisage if weather permitting.
 
I feel Sarfraz is not cut for Test captaincy, as he is an extreme reactionary fellow, while Test cricket requires patience, thats why Misbah was more successful in Test cricket compared to limited overs cricket.

Misbah was excellent in UAE but was horribly exposed in Zimbabwe 2013, South Africa and Australia in particular where the Channel 9 commentary team were calling him out. I've never seen a captain slated that badly, which just shows how woeful he was as a leader outside Asia because he was very defensive minded in the field and lacked imagination with his bowling plans i.e. just a plan A - bowling Yasir Shah to the ground in a 4 man attack regardless of the nature of the pitch or match situation.

In one instance in which I can recall from the top of my head he decided to go all out defensive after 10 overs during the Edgbaston test 2 years ago after they had put on a 100+ run lead. The end result led to England scoring freely and consequently winning the game, he followed up this strategy in the disastrous tour of Aus.

His record looks good without context and superior to Imran Khan's but he wasn't that good of a captain for Pakistan.
 
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Think Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali would be a good opening partnership, would like to see Imam-ul-Haq considered too.

Sami Aslam has been at his best in limited over cricket in domestic

He looked totally clueless in tests

don't know why everyone is so intent on him opening in tests. He's should be a better candidate for ODIs
 
I'm afraid of dropping a test to Ireland. Our test team is very weak right now.

these opening duds shan, sami will cost us the match against ireland on green mamba.. even they will portray the likes of rankin as they are facing starc or rabada..
 
KARACHI: Test captain Sarfraz Ahmed has said that former ODI skipper Azhar Ali is being considered as one of the openers for the upcoming two-Test series against England.

“We have just announced the players for the skills camp,” said Sarfraz. “We will try to send Azhar as the opener. He is somebody who has opened in England before and is an experienced player who has been the backbone of the Test side with his performances for the last four-five years. We will most likely experiment with Azhar as an opener.”

Sarfraz also revealed that the trio of Sami Aslam, Shan Masood and Fakhar Zaman are fighting it out for the remaining two opening slots in the squad.

“We will be looking to take at least three possible opening combinations with us so that means we will have three openers,” he said. “There is Shan, Sami and Fakhar has just been inducted into the squad. We will be consulting to see who we take with us.”

The 30-year-old Sarfraz touched upon the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, which is set to host the first Test of the series May 24.

“It was a special feeling walking out onto the Lord’s pitch for the first time,” he said. “It felt great to walk onto the ground that we had seen on TV for so long. I remember the 1999 World Cup and the Pakistan team in its balcony and I used to wonder why everyone talked about this ground so much. It was only when we went there that I understood that yes it is indeed special. I haven’t scored a Test century there but I scored one in a one day and it’s true that the ground has a special feeling to it.”

The wicketkeeper batsman started laughing when asked about the criticism he has faced regarding his overly critical approach towards the players.

“Every player and captain wants to win,” said Sarfraz. “I get angry when I see the players deviating from our plan or when they aren’t putting in enough effort. Our players are very good and I want them to keep on performing at this level.”

He also revealed that he is trying to keep his emotions in check better. “I am learning on the job and will hopefully get better with time,” he said. “I am trying to keep myself calm on the field and be more in control of my emotions.”

The Quetta Gladiator skipper also hailed the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and said its quality means that he doesn’t feel any sadness regarding Pakistani players’ non-participation in the Indian Premier League.

“No there is no sadness regarding that,” he said. “The kind of league we now have means we don’t need to rely on anyone anymore. The kind of cricket we have seen this year in my opinion is the highest in terms of quality of bowling that league cricket across the world has ever produced. We are getting better and better with every passing year. PSL1 was good but PSL2 was better and PSL3 has been even better than that.”

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1681200/7-azhar-will-open-england-reveals-sarfraz/
 
Just open with Fakhar. May not be a test opener but the guy is a lion and won’t go down without a fight. If he comes off we will win the series.
 
Sami Aslam has been at his best in limited over cricket in domestic

He looked totally clueless in tests

don't know why everyone is so intent on him opening in tests. He's should be a better candidate for ODIs

I know some of the insight on here is so embarrassing. It's like I appreciate there is no one good enough but at least pick someone else. So many are reading too much into his Edgbaston test runs where the wicket was so slow and flat - SC like.
 
I know some of the insight on here is so embarrassing. It's like I appreciate there is no one good enough but at least pick someone else. So many are reading too much into his Edgbaston test runs where the wicket was so slow and flat - SC like.

May as well pick Fakhar.
 
Would love for us to draw or win but Sarfraz and the boys will be in for a rude awakening come May.
 
I was there at the Oval in 2016 when Pakistan levelled the Test Series.

Will be there inshallah at Lord's on the 25th May!

This time however, with the absence of Misbah and Younis, the score line will be very different I feel!
 
Would love for us to draw or win but Sarfraz and the boys will be in for a rude awakening come May.

Some said this last year, that Sarfraz and the boys will be in a rude awakening come June.
 
This an excellent opportunity for Pak to sneak in a series win.. England confidence is at all time low and hopefully after beating Ireland, Pak's confidence will be at a high.. Pak winning the series will also make it easier for India :)
 
PLus Pakistan's hunting ground is the Oval, which will not be hosting any Tests.

Because it aids in reverse swing and spin since the conditions are generally dry with minimal bounce/seam/swing.

Pakistan's first victory was at the Oval with the heroics of Fazal Mehmood.
 
Because it aids in reverse swing and spin since the conditions are generally dry with minimal bounce/seam/swing.

Pakistan's first victory was at the Oval with the heroics of Fazal Mehmood.

Yeah, plus it is a brilliant ground for atmosphere. Probably the best in the UK I would say.
 
Have you been there for a PAK Test?

Yes, 2016, corporate top tier, behind the bowler's arm. When Pakistan levelled the series 2-2.

It was an amazing site and feeling! It was also Pakistan's Independence day! - 14th August! Will never forget.

Will be visiting Lord's this year on 25th May. Cannot wait!
 
Yes, 2016, corporate top tier, behind the bowler's arm. When Pakistan levelled the series 2-2.

It was an amazing site and feeling! It was also Pakistan's Independence day! - 14th August! Will never forget.

Will be visiting Lord's this year on 25th May. Cannot wait!

Lucky you! :shaq

Have a lot of family in England, who live around Manchester but they are of the older demographic.

Might be lucky enough to attend the WC 19' if I get a premature vacation. :)
 
Misbah was excellent in UAE but was horribly exposed in Zimbabwe 2013, South Africa and Australia in particular where the Channel 9 commentary team were calling him out. I've never seen a captain slated that badly, which just shows how woeful he was as a leader outside Asia because he was very defensive minded in the field and lacked imagination with his bowling plans i.e. just a plan A - bowling Yasir Shah to the ground in a 4 man attack regardless of the nature of the pitch or match situation.

In one instance in which I can recall from the top of my head he decided to go all out defensive after 10 overs during the Edgbaston test 2 years ago after they had put on a 100+ run lead. The end result led to England scoring freely and consequently winning the game, he followed up this strategy in the disastrous tour of Aus.

His record looks good without context and superior to Imran Khan's but he wasn't that good of a captain for Pakistan.

Good analysis, I agree.
 
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