Sarfraz called up as cover for Kamran

Published November 12, 2007

LAHORE, Nov 11: Uncapped Sarfraz Ahmed has been summoned to India as reinforcement following an injury to Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal during the third One-day International in Kanpur on Sunday.

“We received a SOS call from the team management that Kamran Akmal has aggravated an injury on his left hand injury, and the national selection committee has decided to send young wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed to reinforce the team,” Dr Nasim Ashraf, the Pakistan Cricket Board, told Dawn on Sunday.

“Sarfraz will arrive in India before the fourth ODI at Gwalior on Thursday and if Kamran does not recover in time for the match, Sarfraz will play in Gwalior,” the chairman added.

Sarfraz, who is playing for PIA in the ongoing Quaid-i-Azam Trophy and has taken 13 catches so far, may make his debut in international cricket since Kamran is facing a lot of criticism for dropping easy catches.

But with the bat Kamran had played some fine knocks in the past, which helped him to keep his place in the national team.

“We are not calling Kamran back as he is our first choice,” the chairman said.