PAK vs AUS: Sarfaraz Ahmed To Be Dropped From XI? Mohammad Hafeez Speaks About Keeper-Batter
Published - 18 Dec 2023, 04:34 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:24 AM
Pakistan Team Director Mohammad Hafeez has expressed support for the veteran keeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed following his disappointing performance in the first Test in Australia. Mohammad Hafeez stressed the importance of refraining from making judgments based on a single match.
Sarfaraz Ahmed returned with two single-digit scores during Pakistan’s 360-run loss against Australia in Perth. The wicketkeeper-batter registered scores of three and four in his two innings. He also missed a stumping chance of David Warner in Australia’s first innings.
Sarfaraz was dismissed both times against Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc. In the first innings, the 36-year-old was bowled through the bat and pad gap. In the second, he got out with an outside edge, providing a simple catch to Mitchell Marsh at gully.
Sarfaraz Ahmed Has Given A Lot Of Performances – Mohammad Hafeez
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Mohammad Hafeez acknowledged Sarfaraz Ahmed’s underwhelming performance in the past. Hafeez highlighted Sarfaraz’s experience in challenging cricketing nations, such as England and Australia.
“Sarfaraz has given a lot of performances for Pakistan. In the New Zealand series in Pakistan, he was excellent. Yes, five to six months have passed but you give first priority to your best performers from recent series. Unfortunately, this match didn’t go well for Sarfaraz according to our expectations. However, we can’t start thinking something totally different after one match,” Hafeez said.
“Sarfaraz isn’t new – he has toured Australia, South Africa, England before. He’s not new to these conditions that we can say that he’ll struggle to adjust. Yes, he didn’t perform up to expectations as a batsman and keeper. But this doesn’t mean that we should start doubting someone’s skill and saying they can only play in certain conditions,” he added.
Pakistan suffered a collapse and was dismissed for 89 runs in the second innings while chasing 450. Pakistan lost the match by a substantial margin of 360 runs in four days. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood each claimed three wickets, while Nathan Lyon contributed two.
We Couldn’t Execute Our Plans – Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Hafeez emphasized that tactical errors by the Shan Masood-led team played a role in their loss in the opening Test. Hafeez expressed disappointment in the team’s inability to execute their plans in the first match.
“We couldn’t execute our skills. We made the plans for the team but unfortunately, as a team, we couldn’t execute our plans. The guys wanted to, but they never applied themselves, to be honest,” Hafeez stated
“As a team, we made a couple of tactical errors. There were certain situations where we could have dominated. We were prepared but our execution wasn’t great.”
The upcoming Boxing Day Test is scheduled to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, commencing on Tuesday, December 26. Sarfaraz Ahmed is likely to be picked as wicketkeeper over Mohammad Rizwan in a crucial must-win match in the series.
