Waqar Younis calls on Sarfraz Ahmed to forget Asia Cup and focus on Australia

Denzil Pinto 22:55 05/10/2018
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  • Under pressure: Sarfraz Ahmed

    Former Pakistan coach Waqar Younis believes it’s crucial that skipper Sarfraz Ahmed ‘lifts himself’ and relieves the pressure placed on him in the Australia Test series after a disappointing Asia Cup.

    The Asian side face the Baggy Greens in the first Test starting in Dubai on Sunday with Sarfraz aiming to make amends following a torrid tournament, in which he scored just 68 runs in five innings.

    The team’s performances and his own poor decisions were questioned after being on the receiving end of two thrashings to India as well as the 37-run loss to Bangladesh that condemned Pakistan to a Super Four stage exit.

    Younis, who claimed 373 wickets for his country from 87 Tests, insists Sarfraz must put the Asia Cup firmly behind him and prove during the two Tests why he is still the right man to skipper the national team.

    “I think Sarfraz has to lift himself because he looked very out-thought and very down (in the Asia Cup),” Waqar said on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi T20 tournament.

    “It’s so crucial and important that the captain stands up and is strong. He can’t be nervous because from what I saw in the Asia Cup he hasn’t got any strong performances behind him and runs in almost a year. I think he is feeling the pressure for his place in the team. He has to forget about it and try to go out there and perform. That will be the key. Both sides have young captains and I’m really looking forward to this series.”

    Former coach Waqar Younis

    Former coach Waqar Younis has had his say on the current crop.

    Sarfraz can be encouraged by the fact the last time Pakistan played a Test series, they recorded a 1-1 draw against Joe Root’s men in England.

    Against the Aussies, Waqar believes Pakistan’s familiarity with slow and dry UAE pitches will be to their advantage as Sarfraz prepares to unleash frontline leg-spinner Yasir Shah.

    “I always say Pakistan stands a better chance because of Yasir Shah’s difference and I think he is a match-winner,” said Waqar, who served as Pakistan coach between 2010-11 and 2014-16.

    “I think leg-spinners are always match-winners. They have to put it right. I wouldn’t say they are favourites but maybe they have a slight edge given they have played a lot of cricket here. They know these pitches well and only lost one Test series here (against Sri Lanka last year).”

    One man who does know the pitches fairly well is Mohammad Hafeez, having featured in 15 matches in the Emirates since 2010. The 37-year-old was not part of the original squad but was recalled last week following his impressive form with the bat and ball in the domestic game.

    Mohammad Hafeez is recalled to the Test squad

    Back in the frame: Mohammad Hafeez.

    If he does don the white jersey, it would be his first Test since August 2016. While Waqar feels Hafeez would bolster the batting line-up, he wants to see him trouble the batsmen with the ball after he was given the green light by the ICC to bowl in international cricket in May.

    “I would like to see him bowl,” he added. “That is very important because he just scored a lot of runs in the domestic game and if someone is in good form, then yes, you should put him in the side.

    “It is not a bad move. The only thing is I would like to see him bowl. He’s been cleared and I think he would be a very handy fifth or sixth bowler in the team as you’ll be needing him in this heat.”

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