The former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been out of Pakistan’s scheme for past months. PCB dropped him from the team, giving the reason to provide him rest. However, as PCB has agreed to tour England to play the Test and limited-overs series, Sarfaraz’s comeback in the national team has become the topic of discussion.
The wicket-keeper batsman’s captaincy came under scrutiny after Pakistan had a disappointing World Cup 2019. The pressure increased on him after Sri Lanka white-washed the Green Army in the three-match T20I series at home. He was removed from the captaincy position as well as dropped from the team for the next series. The youngster Babar Azam has been handed over captaincy position in white-ball while Azhar Ali has been proclaimed as the Test captain.
Sarfaraz last featured in the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2020) but he hasn’t donned the green jersey since last October. Well, as the cricket activity can resume soon, Head Coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq reveals whether the former captain is or not in their plan for England tour.
Sarfaraz Ahmed is obviously our choice: Misbah-ul-Haq
The chief selector praised Sarfaraz Ahmed for working hard on his fitness and game during the break. He has firmly said that the former captain would be picked for the England tour even though he is the second choice after Mohammad Rizwan.
“Yes it makes sense to take two keepers on this tour because where will we find a replacement in those conditions. Sarfaraz is obviously our choice.” the former Pakistan captain said as quoted by Times Now.
“I felt that as time progressed Sarfaraz was feeling more pressure more so because of his own form which was suffering. It was a decision to give him a break so that he could rest and make a strong comeback. I am happy to see that he has worked very hard on his fitness and game. He is very much in our plans.”
For the England tour, 25 players will travel through a chartered plane provided by the ECB.