Sarfraz: "Body language is key"

Barnaby Read 00:39 25/09/2016
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  • Sarfraz says the new approach is very deliberate.

    Three games into his reign as T20I captain of Pakistan, Sarfraz Ahmed is looking to mould a side in his making and in the image of a rapidly changing modern standard of the format.

    Alongside coach Mickey Arthur, the pair set high standards and they have been rewarded with three successive wins and two T20I series victories over this year’s World T20 winners and runners-up.

    For a team that suffered throughout that tournament in India, change has been a slow burner but finally they are putting together a run of results built on a new identity.

    It has seen Pakistan romp to back-to-back wins over West Indies in Dubai this weekend, their players following the lead of their haring skipper and bringing an intensity so long lacking in Pakistan teams.

    Sarfraz claims it is a conscious effort from him and team management, geared at improving his charges’ body language on the field.

    “We are trying to develop a new team, we have a new young set of players so we are trying to develop,” said Sarfraz following their latest win over West Indies.

    “Body language is very important in T20 games. If you’re body language is not important you will not win the game against any big team. So that’s why we are trying to develop body language as being very important.”

    While their team has looked far more composed with the bat and an entirely different entity in the field, their bowling at the death remains an issue of concern.

    They conceded 55 runs in the final four overs of this second T20I in Dubai as an otherwise beaten West Indies went from being out of the running at 89-7 to moving within 16 runs of their target at the game’s conclusion.

    Hasan Ali and Wahab Riaz ended up going at 12.15 and 10.50 runs an over apiece, and both will be under serious threat from the returning Mohammad Amir come the final T20I in Abu Dhabi.

    The frustration was clear on Arthur’s face in the closing overs as he paced the dugout and barked orders at his bowlers who conspired to allow West Indies back in the game.

    Despite their woes, Sarfraz was pleased with his pair’s efforts.

    “I think it’s very difficult, the ball is very wet,” he said. “The humidity outside is very difficult for bowling but in the end the bowlers bowled really well especially Hasan Ali and Wahab finishing well in the end.”

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