Pakistan T20 captain Shahid Afridi has finally broken silence on the reasons behind dropping vice-captain Sarfaraz Ahmed from the T20 series against hosts Sri Lanka, which the visitors won 2-0 to complete a historic treble against the Islanders.
Afridi came under a storm of criticism from the fans, media and former cricketers for dropping Sarfaraz, who has been Pakistan’s best player in last 18 months.
Sarfaraz has become a new hero of Pakistan cricket with Afridi approaching his retirement and the likes of Ahmed Shahzad and Umar Akmal not performing consistently enough to transform their potential into performances.
Shahid Afridi rubbishes conspiracy talk over Sarfaraz Ahmed’s exclusion http://t.co/ZhP4pAQyBx pic.twitter.com/okQGd47MQL
— cricketnext (@cricketnext) August 5, 2015
The wicketkeeper’s stock has been rising whether he plays or drops down the bench with the public at his side.
However, Afridi gave his own account that it is the experimentation phase for Pakistan’s T20 team before the World T20 arrives in seven months time.
“The plan is to blood in new players so that we aren’t double minded when the mega event actually arrives and this is the reason why Sarfaraz was rested during the recent series,” Afridi clarified on the issue.
“There is no politics involved in it and as a captain I feel that in Sarfaraz, I’ve a choice of a player who is willing to play at any number for me. Sarfaraz is a very brave player and a fighter who can play as an opener or at three and six if asked to do so.”
– EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Akram plays down gunfire
– Ashes: Finn ready to Bridge the gap in fourth Test
– Inside Story: How the UAE aim to rebuild with youth
While the recent results bat in favour of Pakistan, Afridi feels that they can still caught off-guard in some areas and the team management and selectors have identified those grey areas.
According to the all-rounder, Pakistan’s opening combination is far from settled while there is also a need to find new blood in the middle-order.
One might think that Pakistan’s pace battery is in good hands with Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan and a few others fighting for final spots; Afridi objects and feels they are still seeking a strong pacer.
“We’re doing experiments because I feel that we need a good opener and batsmen at number three and six so these experiments will continue in near future until we find the right combination. In addition, I feel that there is also a need to get a strong fast-bowler as well before the World T20,” Afridi added.
Man of the Match Anwar Ali with Captain Sarfaraz Feb 2006 pic.twitter.com/N1EJGf8XVf
— Syedih (@SyedIHusain) August 1, 2015
“My plan is really simple which is to keep tinkering with options as we’ve got time. When you experiment, any player can be dropped or rested. So far I can say that my and Waqar Younis plans are coming out nicely.”
Afridi’s search for at number three is certainly worrying news for senior Mohammad Hafeez, who has been limited to only a batsman after being imposed with a 12-month bowling suspension.
With a possible ban on Hafeez looming, the national selectors of Pakistan had brought back Shoaib Malik in time to make up for the loss and there is a general feeling that with Malik performing well in all-rounders mould, Hafeez’s place is certainly under threat.
