Babar Azam: “Sarfaraz Ahmed never gave up”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has praised wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed for never giving up after he made a memorable return to Test cricket.
Sarfaraz was picked ahead of go-to wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan for the two-Test series against New Zealand, which will held from December to January.
The 35-year-old made the most of his opportunity as he scored 335 runs, which included a career-best 118, at an average of 83.75.
Prior to the New Zealand series, Sarfaraz hadn’t played a Test match since January 2019. Despite regularly being included in the Test team, he constantly found himself on the bench.
Nonetheless, he stayed ready to grab his chance when it arose, and Azam admitted that this was incredibly admirable.
“Sarfaraz Ahmed never gave up,” he was quoted as saying by Cricwick.
Pakistan are now playing a limited overs series against New Zealand on home soil and lead the five-match T20I series 2-0.
Pakistan squad for T20I series against New Zealand:Â Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Zaman Khan
Pakistan squad for ODI series against New Zealand:Â Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir