Sarfaraz Ahmed Didn't Want To Play Final T20I Against England

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed reportedly had reservations against playing in the third T20I against England. The wicketkeeper-batsman was named in the Test and T20I squads for the England tour after being dropped and sacked as captain last year.

But with Mohammad Rizwan performing well, Sarfaraz Ahmed had to warm the bench throughout the Test series as well as the first two T20Is. Pakistan’s team-management finally gave him a chance to play in the third and final T20I. But according to a report in Geo TV, Sarfaraz Ahmed did not want to play the game for being benched in the previous games.

After being informed about him being selected in the playing XI for the third T20I, Sarfaraz Ahmed wasn’t keen on putting himself in the spotlight. Skipper Babar Azam, coaches Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan then spoke to him and convinced him to play.

Unfortunately, he did not get the chance to bat and could not make much of an impression from behind the stumps either. The former captain also missed an easy stumping although Pakistan won the game to end the tour on a winning note.

Misbah-ul-Haq’s reaction:

Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq was asked about Sarfaraz Ahmed’s reservation over playing during the press conference in Lahore on Monday. In reply, Misbah said the wicketkeeper-batsman had not refused to play but only “expressed his reservations”.

Misbah also said, “I would also have done if I were in his position. Any player can have concerns when given the final match of a tour and that’s what Sarfaraz also had.”

Misbah further pointed out that Sarfaraz was in such pressure going into the third T20I that he feared for his future in a case where he failed to perform.

“He had pressure that if things don’t go his way then he could be in trouble,” Misbah said.

Sarfaraz Ahmed only agreed to play the game after he was the given assurances over his future.

“Even if your performance is not the same, you will still remain a part of the team,” he was told.

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