"We must change our style of play and be more aggressive than we have been" : Sarfraz Ahmed

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"We must change our style of play and be more aggressive than we have been" : Sarfraz Ahmed

KARACHI: Sarfraz Ahmed on Wednesday stressed his primary focus as Pakistan’s new One-day International skipper will be to qualify for the 2019 ICC World Cup without having to go through the qualification stage.

With the top eight teams earning automatic berths at the mega event to be hosted by England, Pakistan are currently languishing in eighth spot with 89 points — only five ahead of ninth-placed West Indies, who they play in a three-match series next month.

Sarfraz, already Pakistan’s T20 skipper since 2016, has taken over the ODI leadership after Azhar Ali stepped down following the 4-1 defeat in Australia in January. The wicket-keeper/batsman has been further elevated as the Test vice-captain to aging national team captain Misbah-ul-Haq for the upcoming West Indies tour.

The humble Sarfraz, who led Quetta Gladiators to the 2017 HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) final for the second season running, told Dawn in an exclusive interview that he will approach the challenge of leading Pakistan with self-belief.

“Allah Almighty has been very kind to me from the day I started playing cricket. Leading one’s country is not just a great honour but a privilege as well. I am indebted to the PCB hierarchy for the trust they have in my ability [as a leader],” Sarfraz said in a tone of optimism.

“The team culture is an important tool for success and as captain my desire always has been to create an atmosphere of harmony at all levels. I’ll make sure that collectively we not just all enjoy each other’s company but successes as well as, and in difficult times ready to back the guys.”

The cut-off date for the 50-over World Cup is Sept 30 and Pakistan must ensure they don’t drop below top eight, otherwise the green shirts could find themselves battling for two available places in the qualifying event which will be held in Bangladesh from March 1 to April 4 next year.

Sarfraz underlines the importance of the big challenge Pakistan now have to face, while pointing out that the mindset has to be positive.

“Coming to the World Cup, the scenario ahead of us is definitely quite enormous given the time left for the cut-off date. Our prime objective will be to perform exceptionally in the coming [West Indies] series comprising three ODIs. In other words, we cannot afford to slip up,” the 29-year-old said.

“Although we need to keep things simple and stick to the basics, at the same time, we must change our style of play and be more aggressive than we have been. These days even totals of 300 are not safe judging by the rate of scoring and rules of play. T20 has obviously revolutionised ODI cricket. Unless we follow the modernised form, Pakistan will be generally found lagging behind.”

Commenting on Quetta not winning the PSL for the second time in two seasons, Sarfraz expressed his disappointment but also praised the organisers for staging the final in Lahore.

“Obviously, not winning the title hurts. We lost our top [overseas] players for the final but that is no excuse. However, what pleased all of us is the final was played in Pakistan. This was due to the efforts of everybody concerned,” he said.

“As a team, we played very good cricket most of the time and the highlights for me were when Quetta defended 136 to beat Lahore Qalandars in the opening fixture and then defeated them again by chasing down 200 with an over to spare. And then the way we defended 200 to score a one-run win against Peshawar to reach the final.”

Sarfraz further said the 2017 PSL was more competitive than the first edition, adding that it brought into limelight a number of extraordinarily talented young players.

“This PSL was a great platform for upcoming cricketers to showcase their talent and we saw some of them doing brilliantly. Shadab Khan, Hassaan Khan and Mohammad Irfan Jr did very well. Usama Mir also performed exceptionally and Usman Khan Shinwari made a great comeback from injury,” the Pakistan T20 skipper remarked. “I’m sure these youngsters must have enjoyed every moment of playing at the PSL like we did.”

https://www.dawn.com/news/1319233/pakistan-must-adopt-contemporary-style-of-play-in-odis-sarfraz

 

[Zeshan547]

Good comments, but let's see can he walk the talk, i have my doubts.

 

[Big Mac]

Just another empty platitude uttered by the latest in a long line of new captains, selectors and chairmen but nothing ever changes.

Sarfraz hasn't even started his ODI captaincy and people have already started bashing him based on PSL games, I dread to think what will happen once Pakistan lose a couple of ODIs.

 

[Zohaib Shah]

If there is any man that can do it he is the man. He will be our next Dhoni.

 

[Sports_Psychologist]

Sarfaraz has been the best captain in Pakistan and he deserves to captain the national sides and the squad I guess is up to the Mark as well and I'm hoping we are going to have a good champions trophy...

 

[Asif khan]

As long as doesn't start selecting his dross buddies such as Anwar Ali and Asad Shafiq in LOI we may improve BUT one gets the feeling he is going to recall the TFF brigade, he never seemed to learn in the PSL when not only Anwar Ali kept finding a place in the side but was being trusted to bowl in the death overs

 

[Major]

if thats the kind of thinking Sarfraz has, then trust me, this guy is going to lead Pakistan team to its worst performance.

You dont sit on a chair at home and decide that oh we will play aggressive from now on. Sixes on every ball, and have attacking field with slips for a batsmen on 105.

Captaincy is done by going with the situation. Become defensive where required and aggressive where needed.

Sadly, it looks like Sarfraz will get eaten up by the Pakistani mentality of just being aggressive 24/7.

Sarfraz doesn't need to prove to fans by being aggressive, fans dont care about him. When he performs, everyone is happy everyone is your fan; when he doesnt perform, everyone will want him out of the team, thats how fans are.

Sarfraz needs to be careful, and conduct his captaincy not on the basis of what the fans want, but on the basis of what he thinks is right.

Being overly aggressive is something to impress the fans.

 

[Major]

Sarfaraz has been the best captain in Pakistan and he deserves to captain the national sides and the squad I guess is up to the Mark as well and I'm hoping we are going to have a good champions trophy...

hmm really? He is the best captain even before captaining Pakistan in an actualy ODI or test series?

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

so how do you think one should rate someone as 'best captain'.
Give all the 11 players chances as captain for Pakistan and then tell ohh see xyz is the best captain ?

Things dont work like this in real life. You see potential and Sarfi has the best potential in Pakistan as captain.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Also Pak team already is probably at its worst. 6,7, and 8 rankings precisely. Dont know what worse are you talking about that Sarfi will lead us ?

IMO he will lead us to many victories and finally we will move up than pathetic 6,7,8 rankings.

 

[Syed1]

Sarfaraz can be utterly abysmal as captain but he can't be worse than his two predecessors who successfully managed to take our side to number 8 and 9 in the rankings.

 

[aloo paratha]

hmm really? He is the best captain even before captaining Pakistan in an actualy ODI or test series?

IN Pakistan not OF Pakistan

 

[Citizen4]

Sarfraz will take Pakistan to top 5 rankings in all formats hopefully

 

[Zohaib Shah]

Sarfraz will take Pakistan to top 5 rankings in all formats hopefully

Certainly has potential. He looks like a different player when he's captain. I have a feeling his batting and keeping will improve under captaincy. He seems like a hard working guy who leads his troops with a very well organized mindset. Reminds me of Dhoni in a sense cause Dhoni himself felt like he knew who does what.

 

[Syed1]

Certainly has potential. He looks like a different player when he's captain. I have a feeling his batting and keeping will improve under captaincy. He seems like a hard working guy who leads his troops with a very well organized mindset. Reminds me of Dhoni in a sense cause Dhoni himself felt like he knew who does what.

You can even give Dhoni a batting lineup comprising of Azhar Ali, Umar Akmal, Muhammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik and he will struggle to win a single match.

A captain can do only so much. The problem is with the mediocrity we keep playing for the purpose of "continuity".

No other country would have tolerated so many non-performing duds in their batting lineup.

 

[Zohaib Shah]

You can even give Dhoni a batting lineup comprising of Azhar Ali, Umar Akmal, Muhammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik and he will struggle to win a single match.

A captain can do only so much. The problem is with the mediocrity we keep playing for the purpose of "continuity".

No other country would have tolerated so many non-performing duds in their batting lineup.

The thing is if he is able to minimize the scoring through his on field captaincy we might have a chance to win with that line up. I think they need someone like Fakher Zaman to make sure the scoring stays quick so we don't slow down due to players like Azhar Ali.


It will be interesting to see what line up we go with in the ODI's cause I see no place for such players you mentioned.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Sarfraz will take Pakistan to top 5 rankings in all formats hopefully

I actually think that's a good mid to long term goal. It will be a challenge but far from impossible

 

[Rayyman]

I actually think that's a good mid to long term goal. It will be a challenge but far from impossible

You can't set mid to long term goals with the type of sides that Inzi the revolutionary is selecting.

He wants the TTFs to take us to #1 within two years.

 

[Citizen4]

I actually think that's a good mid to long term goal. It will be a challenge but far from impossible

yes I think it's a realistic target.

I think Sarfraz can seriously challenge for World t20 if he gets the right team, t20 talent is there, just have to groom the up and coming players.

First class has some really good players who have not played for Pakistan as well, should be given chances, Sarfraz will give them a chance I think. Test side need some new fast bowlers and at least 1 all rounder and batsman who can perform consistently. Results will come soon.

If he manages to win in WI, that would mean that Pakistan will qualify for the World cup directly because then WI won't be able to overtake us in the rankings, and if he manage to reach the semis of champions trophy, it will be an ideal start to his captaincy career.

 

[proud_pakistani]

This guy will make our boys fight. That is a guarantee.

 

[GreenMasterz007]

Good statement! Get rid of all Tuktuk Defensive players! Specially Azhar and Shafiq who are Dot Balls Master! I don't blame them .. They learnt it off Misbah who has a PHD in Tuktuk dot balls!

 

[Citizen4]

Good statement! Get rid of all Tuktuk Defensive players! Specially Azhar and Shafiq who are Dot Balls Master! I don't blame them .. They learnt it off Misbah who has a PHD in Tuktuk dot balls!

have to get rid of Umar Akmal talent master
useless player doesn't deserve to play for Pak anymore

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

All i want to see is some aggression in our body language. I like Hassan Ali, we need more like him.

 

[fasihulhaq94]

have to get rid of Umar Akmal talent master
useless player doesn't deserve to play for Pak anymore

talent master ) brilliant

 

[Citizen4]

talent master ) brilliant

he'll captain Lahore in the next Psl just watch, his talent his priceless. Just need a few more lahori charghas daily

 

[zulfiqar]

Sarfaraz' rise as a captain is natural, as he was groomed for that from the U-19 days. I like that he embraces Urdu as his language when facing press conferences, but he still has to mature in the manner he addresses professional post-match conferences. This is something he will learn with experience I'm sure.

For his captaincy, I think the first thing Sarfaraz has to improve is actually his wicket-keeping. A captain has to lead from the front, and he has to show this through his wicket-keeping rather than his batting, because a wicketkeeper's first duty is to do the job behind the stumps. Not only that, but the next great Pakistani captain will be he who improves the side's fielding, so he has to be the first person to do this! At the moment he is a below-average wicket-keeper, and that's not acceptable if he wants to compete at the top. Of course his batting has been exceptional, and I hope he continues strong!

I'm hoping for him to be self-critical and saying once out loud that he wishes to improve his keeping, because this will tell me that he has the ability to analyze himself (and by extension -- his team) objectively, so that he can identify shortcomings and fix them!

 

[Rayyman]

"We must change our style of play and be more aggressive than we have been."-said every Pakistani cricketer in the last 10 years.

"Pakistan play a really aggressive brand of cricket these days."-said no one ever in the last 10 years.

 

[MMHS]

Playing aggressive cricket is not a tactics, rather it's a playing style. Aggressiveness would backfire if right players are not picked

I think, the fundamental mistake that PAK team under Misbah (& later Azhar) in ODI did is that, selectors/Captains picked wrong type of players & expected them to change their game - WHICH'LL never work. For example, at one point, PAK ODI team had Shehzad, Misbah, Sarfraz & MoHa in top 4, sometime Fawad, Asad, Azhar, YK & Malik as well - at least 4 of them in top 6. If this team tries to play aggressively - it'll end in disaster, almost every EVERY TIME. To a certain extent, apart from MoHa (that too few years back when he was in early to mid 30s & invariably in Asia), none of these players has the capacity to blast even 58 of 48 balls. They can score 100 of 100, but first 50 balls won't earn more than 35. Only few players capable of that (read Umar, Maqsood, Sharjeel, Jamshed) were categorically dropped down to 6/7 or even out of squad.

I think, batting is easy to identify - anyone can check the SR or dot ball % & find what I have written on top here. BUT, the biggest damage in PAK cricket in last few years had been done in bowling. From the most attacking bowling unit, over the last few years, PAK has become most defensive & extremely predictable, monotonous bowling unit. BUT Misbah or Azhar are not sole responsible for that, not ever Inzi - more precisely, it started from Woolmer's era. Bob comes from his County & South African cricket background & I must say, he couldn't realize the cultural difference. What he tried to implement in PAK ODI team is what worked for him at Warwickshire & later SAF - bits & pieces all-rounders, making a solid playing combination through their multiple combination of batting, bowling & fielding. His ideology of LO cricket was more like winning a boxing match by points, rather than by a KO punch. It worked for him fantastically (unless it's a KO match), but PAK cricket is not based on calculation or strategy - rather it's core is in impact - be with bat or ball.

When I started watching cricket, Imran's team often had 5 specialist bowlers in an ODI + Imran himself. When Wasim became Captain, he almost always kept 4 bowlers + 2 all-rounders between Azhar, Razzak & Afridi - more importanly, both Captains had 20 overs of high class spin to attack. It was Woolmer's time that first time PAK started to drop specialist bowlers (spinners) for Malik, Afridi, MoHa. On top of that, his Captains were not comfortable with attacking wicket takes - Sami, Kaneria - rather they were comfortable with safer options - Rana Naved, Rao Iftekhar, Rehman. Gradually, this has brought PAK now to a level that their 20-25 overs of spin is all about darting - these spinners can't even turn the ball on rank turners; forget about inciting batsmen with flight & loop.

If Sarfu is to walk the talk, he has to change bowling picks more than any thing else. This MoHa, Malik, Imad, Nawaz, Yamin, Fahim bowling philosophy would never allow him to attack a batting unit, which eventually will result his teams into chasing 20/30 more than capacity, or setting just 20-25 below per. A Captain might use part-timers intelligently (like MSD did so many times), but his starting XI must not give the clue at toss. MSD was a master of changing games with Sehwag, Raina, UV as bowlers - but his teams almost always had 50 specialist bowling options (some of them could bat, but they were not picked for that).

These days, ODI's are played on such batting condition that, only way to be in the game is to take wickets at regular interval. On 300 per batting condition, restriction on scoring can work for a certain period, but unless, it results into regular wickets, teams will make it up against 2 balls, 60 metre boundary with batting depth. If there is a partnership with lots of wickets at hand - by 35th over, every team has the capacity to go at 8+/over at least - even ZIMBOKs smashed Azhar's team for ~120 in last 13/14 overs to win an active rubber. Only way to counter that is to pick regular wickets between over No. 11 to 40.

Therefore, I am more interested on the bowling, particularly spin bowling picks of Sarfu, regarding aggressive cricket. I am not interested at all for those few "tight" overs by MoHa or Imad - it won't defend almost any target against top teams. PAK should have realized that darting against WI hacks is not same like defending 263 against Aussies, even at WACA, who were at one point 50/2, in 13 overs. 20-25 overs between MoHa, Malik, Imad & Nawaz are not positive intent for me, even if they pick 6 Sharjeels with bat. Sarfu must return back to the core of PAK's cricket - that's, at least 40 attacking, wicket taking overs, preferably 20 by 2 genuine spinners, as spin playing capacity these days are at lowest level, at least in last 60 years that I can evaluate.

 

[PakLFC]

We do need more aggression that starts from the captain. Azhar was to nice to be a captain, he seems to be easily intimidated by the opposition.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

I don't think being nice is a problem. I have found Sarfi to be really humble and nice who isnt involved in any kind of politics throughout his career.
Pakistani culture mai for leading the side imo you have to get well along with others (atleast ajkal to aisa he hai). And one of Sarfi's quality is he does get well along with others and I think is someone who can get the best out of his players

'On Field', you have to be aggressive. Don' let the opposition control you. Put the team first and make the boys fight for victory. I think Sarfi has these things added that he is tactically very good imo.

 

[Hasan123]

Playing aggressive cricket is not a tactics, rather it's a playing style. Aggressiveness would backfire if right players are not picked

I think, the fundamental mistake that PAK team under Misbah (& later Azhar) in ODI did is that, selectors/Captains picked wrong type of players & expected them to change their game - WHICH'LL never work. For example, at one point, PAK ODI team had Shehzad, Misbah, Sarfraz & MoHa in top 4, sometime Fawad, Asad, Azhar, YK & Malik as well - at least 4 of them in top 6. If this team tries to play aggressively - it'll end in disaster, almost every EVERY TIME. To a certain extent, apart from MoHa (that too few years back when he was in early to mid 30s & invariably in Asia), none of these players has the capacity to blast even 58 of 48 balls. They can score 100 of 100, but first 50 balls won't earn more than 35. Only few players capable of that (read Umar, Maqsood, Sharjeel, Jamshed) were categorically dropped down to 6/7 or even out of squad.

I think, batting is easy to identify - anyone can check the SR or dot ball % & find what I have written on top here. BUT, the biggest damage in PAK cricket in last few years had been done in bowling. From the most attacking bowling unit, over the last few years, PAK has become most defensive & extremely predictable, monotonous bowling unit. BUT Misbah or Azhar are not sole responsible for that, not ever Inzi - more precisely, it started from Woolmer's era. Bob comes from his County & South African cricket background & I must say, he couldn't realize the cultural difference. What he tried to implement in PAK ODI team is what worked for him at Warwickshire & later SAF - bits & pieces all-rounders, making a solid playing combination through their multiple combination of batting, bowling & fielding. His ideology of LO cricket was more like winning a boxing match by points, rather than by a KO punch. It worked for him fantastically (unless it's a KO match), but PAK cricket is not based on calculation or strategy - rather it's core is in impact - be with bat or ball.

When I started watching cricket, Imran's team often had 5 specialist bowlers in an ODI + Imran himself. When Wasim became Captain, he almost always kept 4 bowlers + 2 all-rounders between Azhar, Razzak & Afridi - more importanly, both Captains had 20 overs of high class spin to attack. It was Woolmer's time that first time PAK started to drop specialist bowlers (spinners) for Malik, Afridi, MoHa. On top of that, his Captains were not comfortable with attacking wicket takes - Sami, Kaneria - rather they were comfortable with safer options - Rana Naved, Rao Iftekhar, Rehman. Gradually, this has brought PAK now to a level that their 20-25 overs of spin is all about darting - these spinners can't even turn the ball on rank turners; forget about inciting batsmen with flight & loop.

If Sarfu is to walk the talk, he has to change bowling picks more than any thing else. This MoHa, Malik, Imad, Nawaz, Yamin, Fahim bowling philosophy would never allow him to attack a batting unit, which eventually will result his teams into chasing 20/30 more than capacity, or setting just 20-25 below per. A Captain might use part-timers intelligently (like MSD did so many times), but his starting XI must not give the clue at toss. MSD was a master of changing games with Sehwag, Raina, UV as bowlers - but his teams almost always had 50 specialist bowling options (some of them could bat, but they were not picked for that).

These days, ODI's are played on such batting condition that, only way to be in the game is to take wickets at regular interval. On 300 per batting condition, restriction on scoring can work for a certain period, but unless, it results into regular wickets, teams will make it up against 2 balls, 60 metre boundary with batting depth. If there is a partnership with lots of wickets at hand - by 35th over, every team has the capacity to go at 8+/over at least - even ZIMBOKs smashed Azhar's team for ~120 in last 13/14 overs to win an active rubber. Only way to counter that is to pick regular wickets between over No. 11 to 40.

Therefore, I am more interested on the bowling, particularly spin bowling picks of Sarfu, regarding aggressive cricket. I am not interested at all for those few "tight" overs by MoHa or Imad - it won't defend almost any target against top teams. PAK should have realized that darting against WI hacks is not same like defending 263 against Aussies, even at WACA, who were at one point 50/2, in 13 overs. 20-25 overs between MoHa, Malik, Imad & Nawaz are not positive intent for me, even if they pick 6 Sharjeels with bat. Sarfu must return back to the core of PAK's cricket - that's, at least 40 attacking, wicket taking overs, preferably 20 by 2 genuine spinners, as spin playing capacity these days are at lowest level, at least in last 60 years that I can evaluate.

Enter Shadab Khan and Usama Mir .