Tag: Sarfaraz Ahmed

FAISALABAD: Pakistan Test vice-captain Saud Shakeel has stated that having former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed in the team is a major boost for the Dolphins in the Champions One-Day Cup.

The five-team season-opening tournament will commence at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Thursday, 12 September, while the final will be played on 29 September.

The Dolphins will kick off their Champions Cup campaign on 14 September against Shadab Khan-led Panthers.

The 29-year-old Saud, who has represented Pakistan in 15 ODIs, talked about his team’s combination and how the experience of Sarfaraz Ahmed as a mentor can help the side to do well in the tournament.

“We have a well-balanced side going into the Champions One-Day Cup,” Saud told PCB Digital.

“The focus is on maintaining a strong combination of experienced players and young talent. This tournament provides an opportunity for the players to prove their mettle and impress the selectors to get selected for the national team.

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“Having Sarfaraz Ahmed in the team as a player and mentor is a massive boost for us. His insights and leadership on and off the field will help young players to develop their game.”

Talking about the importance of the inaugural edition of the tournament, Saud said: “This inaugural edition of the Champions One-Day Cup is going to be crucial for domestic cricket in Pakistan.

“It gives players a big stage to showcase their skills, especially in the 50-over format, which is vital with the upcoming international fixtures. The competition will be intense and it will provide fans to come in good amount to cherish their favourite players performances.”

Dolphine squad (to be trimmed to 15 on 10 September)

Saud Shakeel (captain, Karachi), Aftab Ibrahim (Karachi), Asif Ali (Faisalabad), Awais Ali (Gujranwala), Faheem Ashraf (Kasur), Kashif Ali (Rawalpindi), Mir Hamza (Karachi), Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot), Mohammad Abbas Afridi (Peshawar), Muhammad Akhlaq (Kamoki), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (Karachi), Muhammad Riazullah (Peshawar), Noman Ali (Hyderabad), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Sameen Gul (Jamrud), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Karachi), Sahibzada Farhan (Peshawar), Sufiyan Moqim (Kotli), Umar Amin (Rawalpindi) and Usman Qadir (Lahore)

Mentor – Sarfaraz Ahmed

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Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed offered a piece of advice to senior batters Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal ahead of the Champions One-Day Cup, scheduled to run from September 12 to 29.

Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal, who made their respective debuts for Pakistan in 2009, were integral parts of the national team till 2016.

Their last appearance for the national team came in the three-match home T20I series against Sri Lanka in 2019.

Shehzad managed modest scores of four and 13 in the opening two T20Is of the home series respectively while Akmal even failed to score a run as he got out on back-to-back golden ducks.

The duo was subsequently dropped from the third T20I of the series and has not represented Pakistan since then.

Meanwhile, in a recent turn of events, Shehzad announced that he will boycott the upcoming Champions Cup.

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As a result, Dolphins’ mentor for the Champions Cup, Sarfaraz Ahmed advised the duo of Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal to decide if they want to play cricket.

“They should definitely play cricket but if they really want to. Firstly, they need to decide whether they want to play or not,” said Sarfaraz.

“I think both of them are immensely talented players, there’s no doubt about their talent. They played outstanding cricket for Pakistan but I think it’s their own decision,” he added.

Sarfaraz Ahmed then emphasized the need for experienced players in the team, asserting that the emerging players would make their place with time.

“There should be a combination of senior and junior players while playing cricket. We must remember that the senior player cemented his place with a lot of hard work,” Sarfaraz said.

“It has become a trend that ‘we need young players’. A youngster would cement his place by himself with performance,” he added.

READ: “Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad were more talented than us,” Azhar Ali

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed commented on his professional career’s future after being named the mentor of the Dolphins for the upcoming Champions One-Day Cup, scheduled to run from September 12 to 29.

Sarfaraz addressed the media after unveiling the Dolphins’ logo and was asked about his future as a professional cricketer. In response, the wicketkeeper batter shared that he wants to play as long as he can.

“This is a great opportunity for me. It’s also a chance for me to learn. I will strive to bring forward good players who can represent Pakistan,” Sarfaraz said.

“I will be available for the Pakistan team. When I will have domestic duties, I will fulfil them. Whenever I am selected, I will be available.

“With time, everything will fall into place. Right now, I feel I can still play. I will continue to play as long as I can.”

Sarfaraz Ahmed also commented on Pakistan’s first-ever Test series defeat against Bangladesh and assured the fans that the national team would make a comeback.

“My message to the fans is that this Pakistan team will make a comeback. Support your players. Support your players in the Champions Cup.”

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He expressed his excitement to be given the opportunity to serve as the mentor of the Dolphins, based at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi.

“Mentoring a highly-rated Dolphins side in what promises to be a keenly contested and hard-fought tournament is something I’m eagerly looking forward to,” said Sarfaraz Ahmed.

“This will be a new experience for me and I’m excited about the opportunity to learn and further develop my skills as a cricket professional.

“What makes this role even more exciting and challenging is that I will also be participating in the tournament as a player.

“While my passion and drive to win each match remain as strong as ever, my role will also involve supporting and assisting the captain, players, and coaching staff to enhance their skills and become better players.

“I am fully committed to this role and am eager to make a meaningful contribution to the Dolphins side, with whom I have been involved in some of the most memorable matches.”

READ: Pakistan dropped to lowest Test rankings since 1965

LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed was confirmed as the mentor of the Dolphins side for this month’s Champions One-Day Cup, which will be played in Faisalabad from 12-29 September.

Dolphins will be based at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi and will launch their campaign against Saqlain Mushtaq’s Panthers on 14 September.

The Champions One-Day Cup will feature the country’s 150 best of the best cricketers. This will be a 50-over tournament that will be played in a single-league format.

All but the 16 September match between Lions and Panthers, which will start at 9.30 am, will commence at 3 pm. There will be three playoffs in four days with the final on Sunday, 29 September.

Sarfaraz Ahmed has captained Pakistan to victories in the ICC U19 World Cup 2006 and ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

He was also a member of the Pakistan side that won the ACC Asia Cup 2012. As a captain, he also led Pakistan to No.1 in ICC T20I Team Rankings.

Sarfaraz also became the first Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter to score an ODI World Cup century when he scored 101 not out against Ireland in Adelaide in 2015.

He also holds the record for most dismissals in an ODI match (all 6 catches) and is only the second wicket-keeper to have captained his side in 50 or more ODIs. He is also the 17th on the ODI list of wicket-keepers with 2,000 runs and 100 dismissals.

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“Mentoring a highly-rated Dolphins side in what promises to be a keenly contested and hard-fought tournament is something I’m eagerly looking forward to,” said the former captain.

“This will be a new experience for me and I’m excited about the opportunity to learn and further develop my skills as a cricket professional.

“What makes this role even more exciting and challenging is that I will also be participating in the tournament as a player.

“While my passion and drive to win each match remain as strong as ever, my role will also involve supporting and assisting the captain, players, and coaching staff to enhance their skills and become better players.

“I am fully committed to this role and am eager to make a meaningful contribution to the Dolphins side, with whom I have been involved in some of the most memorable matches.

“These include the last-over loss to the Stallions in the 2007/08 T20 Cup final, a 78-run victory over the Bears in the 2009/10 Pentangular One-Day Cup final and a 37-run loss to the Lions in the 2010/11 T20 Cup final.

“With the country’s best players and top-notch coaches under the watchful eyes of experienced former stalwarts as mentors, I am confident that this Champions One-Day Cup will exceed the expectations of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the passionate Pakistan cricket fans, whose unwavering support is always crucial.

“I believe all players will deliver their best performances, making this tournament an overwhelming success.”

READ: Bangladesh captain imitates Lionel Messi after series victory over Pakistan

Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik and Waqar Younis were today confirmed as mentors of the five Champions Cup sides on three-year contracts following a transparent and robust recruitment process.

Names of their sides and squads will be confirmed in due course.

The first assignment of the mentors in the PCB Domestic Cricket Season 2024-25 will be the Champions One-Day Cup, which will be held at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from 12 to 29 September.

The Best of the best cricketers from the country will feature in the single-league competition that will also serve as the homecoming of men’s seniors’ competitive cricket in Faisalabad after nearly two years.

The last domestic men’s 50-over match played at the Iqbal Stadium was in March 2022 between Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The five Champions Cup side mentors have played 1,621 international matches between them, scoring a total of 32,780 runs and taking 1,503 wickets between them.

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Of the five, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik are two-time ICC Event winners, Misbah is a one-time ICC Event winner and ACC Asia Cup 2012 winning captain, while Saqlain and Waqar were members of the side that played in the 1999 World Cup final.

“I am pleased to welcome five exceptional champions as mentors for the Champions Cup teams. These individuals bring a wealth of cricketing experience, knowledge and expertise, which, combined with their passion for the game we all love, will help the Pakistan Cricket Board identify, develop and nurture the next generation of cricketers across all formats. This initiative will not only benefit the Pakistan men’s cricket team but also help bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket,” PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said.

“These five mentors will play a pivotal role in the development and progression of our emerging cricketers. They will guide strategic planning and team-building processes, while also providing support in leadership and personal development.

“The PCB is committed to strengthening Pakistan’s cricket through a robust domestic structure that offers a clear and competitive pathway for all cricketers. The most talented and skilled players will advance through the ranks to represent Pakistan at the highest level.”

READ: Mohsin Naqvi hopeful for Pakistan comeback in second Bangladesh Test

Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has reacted to the appointment of middle-order batter Saud Shakeel as the vice-captain of Pakistan’s Test team.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) men’s national selection committee announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, starting on 21 August.

Shan Masood was retained as Test captain, while Saud Shakeel was named the new vice-captain of Pakistan’s red-ball team.

Saud replaced pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who served as the vice-captain in the last Test series against Australia.

Sarfaraz Ahmed, who is part of the Test squad, welcomed the decision to appoint Saud as the vice-captain, expressing support for the left-handed batter.

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“Congratulations to Saud Shakeel. It is a great honour to be the vice-captain of Pakistan’s national team,” Sarfaraz said while speaking to a local news channel.

“Such junior players who have been captaining at the lower levels are being groomed, which is uplifting. All the players are talented, all the youngsters are performing well. Whoever gets the opportunity should play well,” he concluded.

The Bangladesh cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad in the wee hours of 17 August and is expected to train in the same afternoon.

Meanwhile, the home team’s training camp will commence at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 11 August and will be supervised by red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood.

The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 21-25 August, while the second Test will be held from 30 August-3 September in Karachi.

Pakistan squad for Test series against Bangladesh

Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal (subject to Fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper) and Shaheen Shah Afridi

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Pakistan under-19 captain Saad Baig has recently revealed his deep admiration for former all-format captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.

During a recent interview with a local sports outlet, Baig opened up about his journey and experience of leading the side to the semi-finals of the ICC U19 World Cup 2023.

“I started with tape ball cricket. Then my father got me admitted to Custom Cricket Academy. That’s where my journey began,” Baig said.

“I played U13, then U16, and after performing for three years there, I performed in the PJL. After consistently performing, PCB announced me as a captain. I represented Pakistan in the World Cup as a captain and also in the Asia Cup. So, thank God, the journey has been very good so far.”

Saad Baig also reflected on the role of captain in cricket, emphasizing on the handling the pressure as a leader.

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“As a captain, there is pressure on you. But how you lead your team under that pressure is a very important role. The journey of the U19 World Cup was very good; we showed good performances,” he added.

Prior to the U19 World Cup, Baig approached Sarfaraz Ahmed for advice. Baig disclosed that Sarfaraz provided him with valuable guidance, expressing his aspiration to emulate Sarfaraz’s strong leadership as a captain.

“Before going to the World Cup, I had a conversation with Saifi Bhai [Sarfaraz Ahmed]. He told me how he played during his World Cup journey and gave me tips because he was also a captain,” shared Baig.

“I learned a lot from him; he always backs me. After the World Cup, he taught me a lot and gave me advice. So, as a captain, I like him very much. I like a bit of aggressiveness on the field, which he has, and I also want to be a captain like him and lead my team to victory.”

For the unversed, Sarfaraz led Pakistan to the U19 World Cup victory in 2006, by defeating arch-rivals India in the final.

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KARACHI: Pakistan’s Emerging wicketkeeper Haseebullah Khan was all praises for senior campaigner Sarfaraz Ahmed for guiding him in the red-ball camp ahead of the upcoming home series against Bangladesh.

In a video that went viral on social media, Sarfaraz Ahmed was seen passing on his experience to Haseebullah and gave the youngster valuable tips regarding wicketkeeping.

Reflecting on his experience with Sarfaraz, Haseebullah spoke highly of the former Pakistan captain and shared that he was awestruck with the senior’s humbleness.

“I have rarely encountered someone as sincere as Saifi bhai [Sarfaraz Ahmed],” said Haseebullah.

“No matter what I asked him, he never refused me and always helped me selflessly. Saifi bhai not only helps me but continues to guide me,” he added.

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan are set to embark on a busy home international season with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

The Test series will commence on August 21 in Rawalpindi before concluding on September 3 in Karachi.

Pakistan will host England for three Tests in Multan (7-11 October), Karachi (15-19 October) and Rawalpindi (24-28 October), and the West Indies will visit for two Tests in Karachi (16-20 January) and Multan (24-28 January).

Additionally, Pakistan will host an ODI tri-series, featuring New Zealand and South Africa, scheduled in Multan from 8-14 February.

Bangladesh last played a Test in Pakistan in February 2020, while England swept the three-Test series in December 2022. The 2025 series will also mark the West Indies’ first Test tour to Pakistan since November 2006 when Brian Lara captained the side against Inzamam-ul-Haq men.

READ: Former captains to settle dispute between Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has summoned former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed to meet in Lahore, according to sources.

The wicketkeeper batter is scheduled to meet the chairman to discuss the ongoing issues of the national men’s cricket team.

It is pertinent to mention Naqvi recently shared that former players will take the decision regarding the future of white-ball captain Babar Azam.

“No decision [on captaincy] has been taken so far related to Babar Azam,” said the PCB chief, adding that he is seeking advice from former cricketers on how to improve cricket in Pakistan.

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“I’m only speaking to those former cricketers who are interested in the betterment of Pakistan cricket,” he added.

The PCB chairman also shared that he called head coach Gary Kirsten and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood for a discussion on the Pakistan team’s performance in the mega-event.

The Babar Azam-led Pakistan team were knocked out from the group stage of the T20 World Cup, majorly because of their upset defeat against the USA, followed by a gut-wrenching defeat against arch-rivals India.

The back-to-back defeats had put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit from the tournament while the abandonment of the crucial group-stage fixture between the USA and Ireland officially marked the end of their campaign in T20 World Cup 2024.

The Green Shirts’s next assignment is two-match home Test series against Bangladesh and Sarfaraz Ahmed is expected to be part of the series.

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KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed commented on his competition with Mohammad Rizwan and termed the latter the better wicketkeeper batter currently.

Sarfaraz appeared on a local news channel’s sports show and talked about various aspects of cricket and his career before being asked to name the better wicketkeeper batter between himself and Rizwan.

In reply, the former captain unhesitantly named Rizwan.

“Mohammad Rizwan has become more mature with time. The way he has been playing, everything about him has improved,” said Sarfaraz.

“So, I think, currentty he is the better wicketkeeper batter,” he added.

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Sarfaraz Ahmed then claimed that providing a player with consistent chances gives him confidence which ultimately leads to better performances, while denying the claim that he strived less than Rizwan.

“When I was playing, the performance was almost alike. [It’s just that] when you play consistently, your confidence grows,” stated Sarfaraz.

“And, as I said earlier in international cricket, the more you play, the more you’ll get better.

“So that’s the reason, like when I played, I gave some good performances. And now the way Rizwan is playing and getting consistent chances, he is growing in confidence and getting better and better.”

He then went on to offer a piece of advice to emerging wicketkeeper batters like Azam Khan, Mohammad Haris, Haseebullah Khan, Rohail Nazir and Saad Baig, who could go on to represent Pakistan as the first-choice wicketkeeper in the future.

“Look, the wicketkeepers we have like Azam, Haris and Haseebullah, apart from them Rohail Nazir was in the pipeline. There are more kids like Saad Baig from Under-19.

“So, we have the potential and the more they play cricket, especially four-day domestic, the more they’ll get experience and will perform well for Pakistan,” he concluded.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed comments on the ongoing captaincy saga