Sarfraz calls on squad to play ‘without fear’ in SA
KARACHI: Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed on Thursday urged his fellow team-matestoplay“withoutfear”during their tour of South Africa — a country where they have won only two Tests during their past ive tours.
The Pakistani side is en route to South Africa to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals, with the first Test starting in Centurion on Dec. 26. Pakistan head into the series after losing 2-1 to New Zealand in the UAE last week. In the wake of the tough loss, Sarfraz said he still had high hopes of earning a good result against the Proteas.
“Conditions in South Africa are tough with bouncy and seaming pitches so anyone who plays without fear and with a big heart will succeed,” Sarfraz said.
Pakistan’s two wins out of 12 Tests insouthafricacamein1998and2007, having lost nine with just one draw.
On their last tour in 2013, Pakistan were routed 3-0 and bowled out for their lowest Test score of 49 in the first Test in Johannesburg, with both senior batsmen Younis Khan and Misbah ul Haq in the line-up.
Now without the two stalwarts, Pakistan will look to Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq to help guide the squad.
“We need big innings from both Azharandshafiqandtheyarecapable of doing that, so if we put good totals on board we have a good bowling attack to win the match,” said Sarfraz.