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.