Khaleej Times

PSL stint will help in captaincy: Sarfraz

- KT Report

dubai — Pakistan wicketkeep­er Sarfraz Ahmed has said that the experience­s in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) has helped him grow in the captaincy role and will come in handy in the future.

Sarfraz has been the skipper of the Quetta Gladiators franchise from the inaugural edition and continues to do so in the second year as well.

And the 29-year-old has relished the role, as is evident from the results he has managed to achieve over the two years.

He has guided a team including the likes of Kevin Pietersen to the runners-up spot last year and the team are in the play-offs this year.

Sarfraz was also installed as Pakistan’s T20 captain last year after Shahid Afridi stepped down and he piloted them to a series victory over the West Indies here in the UAE.

Sarfraz has now been appointed as the ODI captain, taking over from Azhar Ali and is also being looked as a prospect for the Test captaincy. And Sarfraz said different and difficult situations in the PSL will help him evolve in the role. “It is a good experience for me because

This PSL is tougher than the previous one. Teams are tougher and more competitiv­e Sarfraz Ahmed

I’m coming across different situations in the PSL,” said Sarfraz.

“If you look at our last two matches, we have been in different situations and scenarios. And I feel this year’s PSL is tougher than the previous one because teams are tougher and more competitiv­e. So, I’m getting to learn a lot of new things when it comes to captaincy. So, I hope that these experience­s will help me in the future,” he added.

The Gladiators have replicated the same form from last year and were the first team to make it to the play-offs. But they did encounter a few obstacles, losing a winning game against defending champions Islamabad United on Friday night and then went down in a low-scoring affair to Peshawar Zalmi. But Sarfraz looked at the positive side by saying that it was a wake-up call and a good sign to get those losses under the belt early.

james@khaleejtim­es.com

 ?? Photo by M.Sajjad ?? Sarfraz is relishing leading the Gladiators. —
Photo by M.Sajjad Sarfraz is relishing leading the Gladiators. —

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