Sarfraz eyes Abu Dhabi win
abu dhabi — Cricket captains usually keep their cards close to their chest but not Sarfraz Ahmed. He is open about the team he will be fielding and there are no last-minute surprises in store for the opposition. It’s sign of a skipper who is in command of his team and with unflinching faith in the abilities of his bowlers and batsmen.
“We are fielding the same XI,” the Pakistan skipper said ahead of the second one-day international against Sri Lanka to be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
The captain noted that all players performed well in the first match, which Pakistan won by 83 runs in Dubai. “It was an all-round performance. The second match is very important as expectations have risen now. We have practiced very well in order to win the match.”
When asked if he will push himself up the order, Sarfraz said: “Mohammad Hafeez (at four) and Shoaib Malik (at five) played very well. The team comes first. This combination is working for now. This is the best option as of now and we will continue it.”
On steps to improve, Sarfraz pointed out the need to rotate strike and take more singles in the early overs. “Overall, the team performance is very good.”
Selectors, he said, have shown faith in the young side. “Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees and the likes have helped win the first ODI. The youngsters had done well in Test matches too,” he said.
And the skipper noted that keeping the winning momentum going in the second ODI is very important. “Whomever we have selected after and before the Champions Trophy is continuing in the team. Everyone is given good opportunity and selectors are showing good faith in boys. This is a good chance for youngsters to perform well and cement their place in the side. It will be a good pool of players leading to the 2019 World Cup.”
Sri Lanka will decide on Monday whether or not they would play the last T20 in Lahore but Sarfraz remains hopeful.
“As such there is no issue but I am unaware about the latest updates. I am hopeful about the team (Sri Lanka) coming (to Lahore). It was a successful World XI tournament and there were no problems at all. Sri Lankan player Thisara Perera had also played in the matches. So, I am hoping that they will surely come to Pakistan.”
The venue of last T20 will be a worrisome proposition for Lankans but coach Nic Pothas said they have business to finish before that – four ODIs and two T20s.
“I am hoping we will put a better show in the second ODI. We have not been very good in this format for a while now. We have to find answers and find them quick.”
The coach said the top order
Mohammad Hafeez (at four) and Shoaib Malik (at five) played very well. The team comes first. This combination is working for now Sarfraz Ahmed
batsmen have to take responsibility and deliver. Chasing 293, Sri Lanka were 67 for five in just 16 overs.
Captain Upul Tharanga, however, said improvement is needed in all departments and not just batting. “We didn’t capitalise with our batting during our innings. We need to play our game right and the main thing will be to hit those big scores, especially in a game like the ODI.”
The coach and skipper are hoping for a positive outcome as they face the same Pakistan team.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com