AFG vs PAK: Rashid Latif Wants Sarfaraz Ahmed To Be Backup Wicketkeeper In ODIs And Not Mohammad Haris

Former Pakistan batsman, Rashid Latif spoke on his preferred back wicketkeeper in the upcoming Asia Cup for Babar Azam-led Pakistan and said that Sarfaraz Ahmed is a better option than Mohammad Harris since that player got experience.

The 36-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, Sarfaraz Ahmed made his ODI debut in 2007 against India and played 117 matches in which he scored 2315 runs with a strike rate of 87.86.

The former Pakistan skipper played his last ODI match in 2021 against South Africa and after that, he has not taken part in any 50-over format cricket game.

On the other hand, the 22-year-old Mohammad Haris made his ODI debut against West Indies in 2022 and appeared in five matches till now in which he has scored only 27 runs with a strike rate of 103.85. Haris played his last ODI match in 2023 against New Zealand.

While speaking to Cricket Pakistan, Rashid Latif appreciated Mohammad Haris’ talent but preferred Sarfaraz Ahmed over Haris since the 36-year-old has got more experience and he should have got a place in the squad.

Latif added that he respect the decision made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and that he just sharing his opinion.

“We respect all the decisions that have been made, but no one can stop us from giving an opinion. Haris is an excellent player who has performed brilliantly in T20 lately. Moreover, he’s a dangerous powerplay player; his strike rate is outstanding. But I believe his career in ODIs will start after World Cup. It is possible that he’ll perform extraordinarily in Asia Cup, too; however, in today’s date, Sarfaraz is an experienced player, and he should’ve been selected in the squad. It looks very convenient to sideline a player and pave the way for the newer one,” Rashid Latif said.

He deserved to be a part of the squad: Rashid Latif on Sarfaraz Ahmed

Latif continued by saying that his presence in the squad should have been started after the ODI World Cup since he has not played many 50-over matches for the Men in Green. Latif added that Sarfaraz Ahmed deserved a place in the 17-member squad.

“Haris is an extremely talented player, but his story should’ve begun after the World Cup. He has been with the team for two years but didn’t play much ODI’s as such. Sarfaraz deserved to be a part of the squad. Whatever the outcome of the World Cup, whether we win or lose, you have to make changes. Players like Saud Shakeel and Muhammad Haris have long cricket after World Cup in ODI format,” Latif further added.

Babar Azam-led Pakistan will start their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against Nepal on Wednesday (August 30th) at Multan International Stadium in Multan. However, they will take on India on Saturday (September 2nd) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.