Sarfraz downplays controversy over surprise T20 exclusion

E-Paper | March 10, 2026

KARACHI: Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed has downplayed the controversy surrounding his surprise exclusion from the two Twenty20 Internationals the country played against Sri Lanka.

“I am just happy that the team won the T20 series and improved its international rankings,” the 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.

“I have no issues if I am rested because of team requirements. I am not a part of the tour selection committee. My job is to give my best performances whenever I play and I always try to do that.”

Sarfraz’s exclusion caused a stir among cricketing circles in Pakistan, which forced the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chairman Executive Committee Najam Sethi to release a statement seeking explanation from the team management.

“Questions of dropping Sarfraz come from the general public and we also want to know reasons of his dropping,” Sethi said.

However, the wicketkeeper batsman had no grudge on being unceremoniously dumped. Instead, he was glad donning the Pakistan colours in Test matches and one-day internationals.

“I am just happy to see the way we won the T20 series and how we performed throughout the tour. It is great news for Pakistan cricket as we are now moving forward,” Sarfraz, the ODI and T20 vice-captain, said.

He added that Pakistan’s sensational one-wicket victory in the second T20 was heartening as it showed the “never-say-die spirit” of the Pakistan team.

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Jibran

Aug 04, 2015 03:04pm

Bravo. Excellent demonstration of level headed thinking both on and off the field by this guy.

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Salim R

Aug 04, 2015 03:08pm

He is a good player with big heart and broad mind. He accepts all situations thats the reason he always performs.

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Qasim

Aug 04, 2015 03:12pm

Shows maturity on his part not to cry over spilled milk and make matters worse. However Sethi is right in demanding an explanation. Entire nation wants to know the "truth" to ensure fair treatment in future; not on the captain or coach's whims.

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Rashid Ishaq

Aug 04, 2015 03:15pm

Past says that don't be silent if you are a good player and performer in Pakistan cricket team else you can see the career of Abdul Razzak as how it was ruined

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Adnan Mazher Khan

Aug 04, 2015 03:16pm

Sarfraz is a typical victim of bigotry, nepotism and biased approach that has imbibed in our souls and character. Waqar Younis has not selected him - a prediction made long ago by Ramiz Raja. Mark my words; the head coach of Pakistan will go nose down one day as he is the main culprit in exclusive of Waqar Younis.

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Azmeen

Aug 04, 2015 03:18pm

Sarfraz is a great player but must maintain/enhance his confidencs in the game.

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Hussain

Aug 04, 2015 03:21pm

A legend in the making....

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nabidad

Aug 04, 2015 03:23pm

Every players should think and behave like sensible Sarfaraz Ahmed. It shows he is star cricketer. Now people of Pakistan should allow the team and the board to take the independent decision for the betterment of national team.

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Babar Hussain

Aug 04, 2015 03:30pm

That's call the true team spirit, this also give confidence to team management, to work on different ideas, cricket should be played like sports not like pakistani politics where nobody can think without bhuttos, sharifs or elahis.

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Nauman

Aug 04, 2015 03:38pm

He has just earned even more respect.

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Blue Saffron

Aug 04, 2015 03:56pm

Sethi should know better. He is a minion of PML N and gifted the PCB position.

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Waseem Sarwar

Aug 04, 2015 04:16pm

Sarfraz's attitude is captain material. Future T20 and may be ODI captain too but Azhar Ali needs to carry on as per now. He is doing a very good job opening and captaining the side. Sarfraz needs to open the innings in T20s ahead of Mukhtar and Nouman needs a run at number 3 because he is a pure t20 batter.

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KaKa

Aug 04, 2015 04:30pm

You are a man of character Sarfraz. You have shown what metal are you. Though it would effect anybody's' fat skin in entire BCCP, but the world is watching what is happening with you.....KEEP UP THE SPIRIT BOY....NO PAIN.

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nadeem

Aug 04, 2015 04:50pm

Well done.not like yunus khan who start threatening to leave the country and of suicide.

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imtiaz Hydari

Aug 04, 2015 04:56pm

Great stuff Sarfaraz - you make us proud with your excellent enviable attitude - there was no justification for dropping you from the T20's even though pakistan won the series. Sarfaraz anytime is a better player than Ahmed Shahzad, Mujhtar or Rizwan.

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Syed Khurram

Aug 04, 2015 05:07pm

Shabash Sarfraz! Very sensible and positive approach. Great things lay ahead for you, InshaAllah.

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Fasi23

Aug 04, 2015 05:11pm

Include Sarfraz as wicket keeper batsman & Rizwan as batsman who can save 15-20 runs as a fielder too.... Just ignore Mukhtar (who has no technique what so ever). It's simple as that:)

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Tahir A

Aug 04, 2015 05:17pm

Sethi is making a mountain out of a mole hill. This is how controversies get started. And if one keeps on throwing muck like this, then surely one day it could stick on the wall. Well done Sarfraz for understanding the situation and using common sense. Fame and benefits will come without being over ambitious or greedy. And keep away from giving comments to media.

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Kabir

Aug 04, 2015 05:20pm

That's a true sportsman!!! and my question to every one is if you pick Sarfaraz in team whom you would have dropped???

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Dilawar Khan

Aug 04, 2015 05:28pm

Mentally tough even off the field..

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Hello

Aug 04, 2015 05:43pm

Dear captain / coach, Do not break his confidence by your biased approach

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proud-winner

Aug 04, 2015 05:43pm

This man is the next captain of the Pakistan team, no doubt. He has a sane head on his shoulders and is a very cool calm customer. Well done Sarfaraz for handling it so Maturely.

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Liaquat

Aug 04, 2015 06:17pm

Sarfraz, your words are bigger than your game and you are a greater human being and pakistani than a crickter.

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from Twincity

Aug 04, 2015 06:25pm

Under Sarfaraz we have won under 19 world cup. If management and coach wants to win another international trophy. Here is the un-bias man (purely Pakistani) use him while he is doing his best.

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KARACHI WALA

Aug 04, 2015 06:38pm

With his sensible thinking and approach, Sarfraz makes me a proud Karachiite. He is not narrow minded like most of Karachi based so called TV experts and talk show hosts. Sadly, most of our Karachi based past cricketers can not think past Muhajir victim mentality. Fellows like Sarfraz are our future. On and off the field.

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from Twincity

Aug 04, 2015 06:44pm

@Kabir you can drop Mukhtar, Shahzad, Rizwan or Akmal

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Bilal Hussain

Aug 04, 2015 06:55pm

Coach Waqar Younis is the main culprit. He is egoistic. He made Sarfarz sit out of two T20s - the same problem he had with Sarfraz in worldcup !! As alot of people says, in 1992, he was kicked out of WC squad by IK not because he was injured, he had ego issues then as well. But he could not ever speak about it publicly & IK justified Waqar's exclusion by winning the WC. Waqar could have tried Sarfraz in 2nd T20. If you have seen Rizwan, he's an okay batsman but not as good as Sarfraz.

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Haider Rehman

Aug 04, 2015 07:05pm

We all know Afridi dropped Sarfaraz for Umar Akmal, a known failure

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all-is-equal

Aug 04, 2015 07:05pm

He was out because he is threat to Malik, Akmal and specially Afridi. There is no way can drop a player who is performing throughout the series in any condition for couple of months.

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mba

Aug 04, 2015 07:05pm

I have no idea about the background of excluding Sarfraz this time and I do´nt know much about cricket. But his lovely statement caught my attention. Thanks Sarfraz for your big heart and Sportmenship. Sometimes someone has to step back for the good of the team. I wish you and our team good luck.

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ivehadit

Aug 04, 2015 07:06pm

there are a lot of competent players on the team. no one should have a place in every format.

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Shahzad

Aug 04, 2015 07:15pm

What happened in 'T-20 playing selection' is nothing to do with what Sarfraz thinks or says. Problem is what happened and if we as Pakistanis should tolerate nepotism, personal likes/dislikes, killing of merit, victimization, discouraging hard work of others, ignoring talents, and bigotry of those who are entrusted with power and position in Pakistan. To me, those guilty of misusing entrusted power and position should be sacked, punished, and should be named to not only defame them but ashamed them.

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Khan

Aug 04, 2015 07:17pm

@Haider Rehman Afridi knows only Sarfaraz can take his captaincy so let just not play him till near the 20/20 worldcup. Afridi has been playinh politics since last 20 yrs. Average player made a superstar in our country.

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ABL

Aug 04, 2015 07:17pm

Dear Sarfraz, with this response and positive attitude, you have demonstrated yourself as a good human being. With consistent performance, which i am sure you will demonstrate, you will go very far, not only in cricket, but in every walk of life. Bless you!! Hope you get to read all this other inspiring comments.

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Shahzad

Aug 04, 2015 07:19pm

@Kabir well, Shahid Afridi should have been dropped. If one says that he should play as he is Captain of T20 than Sarfraz should have also played as he is vice Captain of T20. If Vice Captain can be dropped than why not Captain? ... On the other hand, Sarfraz is better batsmen then most playing cricket for Pakistan and is also the best wicket keeper, so dropping best wicket keeper and one of the best batsman who also has one of highest strike rate in Pakistan team to include inferior players is just bias decision full of prejudice.

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Syed Aslam

Aug 04, 2015 07:51pm

This is Sarfarz big heart, but story is like and dislike by Waqar /Afridi, Waqar hate him and Afridi afraid to save his Captaincy. The both biased against his talent, kill his emotion, motivation, his will power. PCB Chairman must take note this always why Sarfarz REST out of 11 players the treatment to future captain.

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Shahzad

Aug 04, 2015 08:06pm

It is really encouraging that because of our free media, thugs and crooks, especially those who misuse entrusted power and position to them are getting exposed in every way, with reports and comments. For instance, I once used to think that Waqar was best strike bowler Pakistan has produced and Afridi is one of the best Pakistani stroke player, but unfortunately that thinking was accompanied with perception that they were good persons, unbiased and selfless. Anyhow, their recent behaviour, misusing power and position entrusted to them by victimizing Sarfraz (and other players) for no reason and showing their likes/dislikes ignoring merit, made me change my mind. Now, I have feeling that they should not have been given any power or position in team, and that they do not deserve any respect. Their rewards for playing for Pakistan was money they got, and I believe their behaviour would harm their reputation for all time to come (especially when present media is not so forgiving).

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showkat dat

Aug 04, 2015 08:20pm

performance should speak not your tongue

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Kashan Baloch

Aug 04, 2015 08:29pm

Nothing but Waqar's ego....!

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Chaigram

Aug 04, 2015 08:40pm

A very mature statement ...... Coming out from a den of hungry lions.

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aiman

Aug 04, 2015 08:45pm

this shows extremely biased selection committee.

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Blue Saffron

Aug 04, 2015 08:45pm

Sarfraz seems to be a good player. At times outstanding. His body language on the field needs to improve though. Wonder why the captain/coach/selectors dont like him.

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Jamhoor

Aug 04, 2015 08:45pm

Great attitude and I am sure he will achieve a lot with his positive attitude.

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Muhammad

Aug 04, 2015 08:52pm

Waqar in his current job should be a mentor of youngsters instead of picking his favorites. It is an open secret how he tried to ruin Sarfaraz by bringing him as opener in SA world cup match but Sarfaraz turned the tables on him. People like Waqar should not have any association with the management of Pakistan Cricket.

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Izaz

Aug 04, 2015 09:00pm

The t20 team performed admirably. Trust the fans to find something to gripe about regardless.

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ali

Aug 04, 2015 09:08pm

@Rashid Ishaq Exactly! I'm too surprised how a number one wicket-keeper batsman could get scared off. Really it's Pakistan where unpredictability, individual liking or disliking are all in all to all aspects, including selecting a bad one in place of good one! Fortunately, this time Sl was experimenting with its team, otherwise the gained T20Is' result would have been written in different ways! That time, how Mr. Waker and gong, do justify their irrational brain-works?

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akbar

Aug 04, 2015 09:08pm

People may not like the comment but these so called critics of the management is going to pitch Sarfaraz against the rest. but he has proved sensible by what he has said. His place is never in danger but it looks like a particular lobby is just blowing it out of proportion and making it difficult for him. Resting a player is not something that people should start shouting. anybody can be rested as per the planning. captains sit out and hand over team to VCs so what to talk about resting VC.Its nothing new.

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Yawar

Aug 04, 2015 09:16pm

Thank you Najam Sethi for holding Waqar Younis and Afridi accountable for excluding Sarfaraz

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Dawar

Aug 04, 2015 09:27pm

Very Sportive Remarks] He said similar statement after he was dropped in first 3 matches of the world cup. Afridi must learn lesson from him. Sarfraz is a best choice for Captain in all formats.

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iqbal khan

Aug 04, 2015 09:32pm

Decency at its best.

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Corruption Remover

Aug 04, 2015 09:52pm

why they keep giving chances to Shahzed and Mukhtar regardless of their performance. He should be given chance to open the inning like them too. not like only let him play and if he does score make him sit

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Cricket Fan

Aug 04, 2015 11:12pm

You really can't have Hafeez as a batman in T20 and exclude Sarfraz. That sounds brain dead move. It is Pakistan after all; there will be tons of sifarish and corruptions in the process. But, overall, PCB has made good decisions after the world cup so we should forgive them. Pakistan is now 3rd ranked in two formats!! Good job team and PCB.

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Rashid Ishaq

Aug 04, 2015 11:27pm

@Haider Rehman Umar Akmal should not be dropped for Sarfraz as you have seen in first match that Umar Akmal played well but yes Mukhtar could be dropped for Sarfraz

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Rashid Ishaq

Aug 04, 2015 11:30pm

@ali I second you buddy

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Shahzad

Aug 04, 2015 11:38pm

I think Shahid Afridi should be dropped from ODI and new captain should be made for coming ODI world cup. Afridi is not a reliable batsman anyhowand most of the time he is burden on the team. He do not even have team sprite. He is considered to selfish and plays for himself. Pakistan do not need a captain that do not play for Pakistan but his own like, dislike and nepotism matters more to him.

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M Jamal

Aug 04, 2015 11:49pm

Marvellous sportsman.In Pakistan you must have an instinct for survival,otherwise,you become Qasim Omer.

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Imtiaz hydari

Aug 05, 2015 12:05am

@Kabir shahzad, Mukhtar or Rizwan

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Khalid

Aug 05, 2015 12:09am

Poor Sarfaraz in the net of GOONDAS of PCB

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Asif

Aug 05, 2015 12:34am

He is a genuine wicket keeper and a reliable plus responsible batsman for the Pakistan team.

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Nauman

Aug 05, 2015 01:21am

Sarfaraz won't deceive (Dhoka nahi deyga) :)

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SHAHZ

Aug 05, 2015 02:10am

Sarfraz did the correct thing for the team and the country. This does not make him in Waqar's good books. Sometime this type of altitude backfires as jealousy grows due to excessive popularity. I hope this is not the case with poor Sarfraz

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Asif

Aug 05, 2015 02:16am

Sarfraz's exclusion from the T20Is was indeed disappointing (not least because he is the nominated VC of both ODI and T20 teams) but the fact is, it was hard to drop Hafeez esp. after his performance with the bat during the ODIs. The team management (incl. Waqar and Afridi) decides the final XI (not just Waqar). has some explaining to do, but people should stop seeing politics or nepotism in everything. They need to break out of this victim mentality. We must relish healthy competition for places in the team. Mukhtar comes across as a pure slogger (with no genuine technique) and would most likely struggle against genuine bowling attacks I would open with Shehzad and Sarfraz (better batsman than Rizwan) in both ODIs and T20Is and play Rizwan as a wicket-keeper batsman in both ODIs and T20Is. Umar Akmal should play only as a batsman. I know Sarfraz is a better keeper but it is probably asking too much of him to both keep AND open the innings.

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Touching

Aug 05, 2015 02:57am

Am an Indian and really like ths lad..hope yu all remember his performance afainst southafrica in WC. Daring on field performer and such humble..People like him will have bright future i bet..

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salem

Aug 05, 2015 03:41am

It is a shame on PCB to exclude Sararaz in T20 maches. Pakistan has great talent if the higher management deals fairly when selecting players. For God sake be fair and honest and stop favouritism. Goal should be winning for Pakistan. I am 74 years old and Pakistan team has been my favourite for over 60 years. I am not a Pakistani but love Pakistan. Saleem

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Akil Akhtar

Aug 05, 2015 04:44am

Afridi who does not deserve to be in the team and should be leaving now is keeping the future of Pakistan out.

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Riz

Aug 05, 2015 04:57am

Sarfaraz is an amazing player and a very humble person. But I do not want sarfaraz to be next Basit Ali

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global citizen

Aug 05, 2015 05:10am

this guy is captain material for sure.

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nadeem qazi

Aug 05, 2015 07:07am

@Kabir "UMAR AKMAL"

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Aug 05, 2015 07:13am

@Rashid Ishaq not anymore now hopefully with media and social media and public awareness all in rise in times to come... no one questioned the removal of Abdr-Razak in the past but not anymore now...as you have seen public outcry of the removal of Sarfraz from T20 that Sethi was forced to seek explanation...hopefully in the future not anymore unfair treatment to anyone.

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Aug 05, 2015 07:15am

@Adnan Mazher Khan agreed! why not we start a campaign on social media for asking PCB for making Waqar mind clear that only merit has the place in cricket and not the favoritism.

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Aug 05, 2015 07:18am

@imtiaz Hydari 110%agreed! He's a fine player, I would rank him of the type of smith of Australia as far as his position as a game changer is concerned plus consistency in his batting.

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Aug 05, 2015 07:23am

@Kabir 1. Ahmed Shazad (not fit for oneday or T20, most of the time he gives practice to the fielders) or 2. Mukhtar (no technique, no comparison of Sarfraz with him), or 3. Hafeez (since he's not bowling, plus Sarfraz is a superior batsman than him), or 4. Afridi (Anyone will rank Sarfraz a better allrounder and the game changer than Afridi on most occasion).

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Aug 05, 2015 07:35am

He's a man of his kind! I am so proud Karachi has produced such a talent, and great speaker that has made all us proud. I would suggest to make him T20 captain please as soon as the opportunity arises. I personally feel that Afridi has fear from Sarfraz's performance in T20 as he has not given him any chance to excel. Sarfraz was not allowed to bat in T20 in Bangladesh and not selected to be part of T20 in Sri Lanka. He is a far better player that any of the existing batsman in T20 in Pakistan team on any ground such as technique, consistency, game changer, power hitting when needed etc...

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Imran

Aug 05, 2015 08:05am

May be it was all done not as bias against Sarfaraz but to give a silent statement to the likes of Akmals and Maliks that somebody of Sarfaraz's stature sitting outside on the bench and they have no room but to perform . If they fail then there would be a very strong justification to expel the long time non performer out of the team. This I believe a strategy to shape the team for the next T20 world cup.

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Bozdar

Aug 05, 2015 09:15am

Aim was to win the T20 Series against Srilanka and we Won Did not we.. it does not matter who play for Pakistan till we are winning. I believe we should stop criticizing and start supporting the team.....Go Green GO

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Adnan Jidaker

Aug 05, 2015 09:45am

@Hussain Can't agree more, he alongwith Yasir are going to be super star.

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fair

Aug 05, 2015 11:53am

@Imran To sed messages to AKmals and MAliks drop them not other performing players.

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Akhtar Aleem Syed, Advocate

Aug 05, 2015 12:17pm

Sarfaraz's approach is very positive and highly commendable.

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Salman

Aug 05, 2015 12:46pm

PCB should make an enquiry commission comprising of experts to find out the reason for exclusion of Sarfraz from T20 playing teams at Sri Lanka. Then they should immediately take action against the culprit. Hats off to Sarfraz for his humble/gentleman attitude.

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Muhammad Ramzan

Aug 05, 2015 06:59pm

That's call gentleman attitude. keep it up young man. long way to go. stay blessed

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optimist

Aug 06, 2015 09:23pm

@Shahzad Excellent observation. Because of this nepotism, favoritism and interference in selection process has broght Pakistan Cricket team to where it is right now, at the bottom even below Bangladesh. Hafeez has no place in T-20 after he is not allowed to bowl at any international level. Shahzad is a burdon on the teamn with his poor strike rate.

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