Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has suggested players work hard before getting ready for the challenge in England and Ireland respectively.
Following the reconfirmation of the team leading the ICC Twenty20 team ranking charts, Sarfraz believes there is a lot to prove in the coming months.
While talking to the media in Karachi, Sarfraz emphasized that they have to give their best – to come good in the international fold.
With preparations expected to be in full swing sooner, the wicketkeeper-batsman is somewhat confident to deliver big.
Pakistan will take on Ireland in the much-awaited Test match. The Village in Dublin will host the longer version of the game between May 11 and May 15 respectively.
“Our preparations have to be very good from the onset. There is a camp which is being set up in Lahore from this week and when we head to the UK, we will train there as well as before a couple of side games ahead of the Test against Ireland,” he added.
Owing to the cricketing calendar, England is set to host Pakistan for two-match Test series. The campaign will be beginning on May 24 at iconic Lord’s.
However, the brief series will culminate with the second and final Test at Headingley in Leeds on June 5.
“The bigger challenge is the two Tests against England,” Sarfraz remarked.
Considering all three formats, Sarfraz pointed out that there is a need for consistency as the management has been instilling the confidence among youngsters.
“We need to improve in the other two formats [Tests and ODIs] if Pakistan are to become a good side. The coming months won’t be easy for us and we’ve to plan accordingly for the Tests in Ireland and England,” Sarfraz briefs media in Karachi.
Pakistan overhauled Windies 3-0 in the three-match Twenty20 International series in Karachi.
Sarfraz is delighted as he reiterated the hosts should be accredited for the success. It subsequently pushed hosts to extend the four-point gap over second-ranked Australia (126 rating points).
“We were extremely good in this T20 series. The [T20] series may have been one-sided in terms of play but credit must be given to our team for producing very good cricket throughout the three matches” Sarfraz maintained.
In a bid to excel in the other two formats, Sarfraz vows to play their A game.
In addition, Sarfraz Ahmed has been vocal about the promising talent further hailed the youngsters making it to the national team.
Recently, Asif Ali and Hussain Talat had a remarkable Pakistan Super League (PSL). It further impressed the national selectors of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“The most heartening factor was the way new players have performed. We gave full opportunities to both Hussain Talat and Asif Ali and they fared impressively. In the last match, Shaheen Shah Afridi played and he also did well,” Sarfraz said.
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