Pakistan limited-overs skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has stated the youngsters in domestic circuit has reaped rewards during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and further termed it as an ‘advantage’ for the players – to play T20 cricket, while eventually being picked for the national side.
“PSL is an advantage as the boys are coming through playing T20 cricket. Many players who performed have been rewarded,” Sarfraz was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.com.
Sarfraz, who is in Bridgetown to lead his side for the first match of four-match T20 series, added the Caribbean series is important for the Men in Green.
“It’s an important series and the first match will set a tone for the series,” Sarfraz said.
The 29-year-old Sarfraz reiterated, it’s exciting to see the young prospects rising among the ranks before adding PSL had been a stepping stone for the Pakistan cricket to nurse the talent.
“I think it’s a good sign that PSL is happening and players who are performing in domestic are being selected. Morale of our team is very good and boys are working hard,” Sarfraz remarked.
Earlier, Pakistan has also picked leg-spinner Shadab Khan and left-arm fast bowler Usman Khan after delivering goods in the recently concluded second edition of the PSL.
“Shadab Khan did well, so did Usman Khan, so it’s good to have top performers such as these boys coming through; this event is helping us unearth talent,” Sarfraz expressed.
However, the wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz is hopeful to deliver on the West Indies shores following the changes in the opening combination which further include experience and blend of youth in the squad.
While echoing the words of his counterpart Carlos Brathwaite, Sarfraz is hopeful by stating those who had participated in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), edition would bring insight to the camp and acclimatize the conditions at the earliest, which according to him will be an added advantage for the side.
“Four to five senior players have been playing their league [the Caribbean Premier League] in the West Indies and this is an advantage. It’s a good thing for us that these boys can easily adjust in these conditions,” Sarfraz added.
On the other hand, after three years, wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal returned to the Pakistan squad for West Indies tour alongside Ahmed Shehzad, as both did well in PSL.
The 35-year-old Akmal was the highest run-getter with 353 runs in the PSL competition, which was won by Peshawar Zalmi, after the much-awaited final was held in Lahore on March 5.
“We are all impressed with Kamran’s performance,” Sarfraz said. “The way he had been scoring runs continuously over the last two years is outstanding,” Sarfraz concluded Sarfraz, who has played 25 T20Is in which he has scored 337 runs at an average of 33.70.
Coming to the points table, West Indies will go up to 123 points, if the hosts will win all their four T20I matches and Pakistan would climb to third position with a 4-0 win over Caribbean.