Leading Pakistan team on home soil is a highlight in my career, says Sarfaraz Ahmed

Leading Pakistan team on home soil is a highlight in my career, says Sarfaraz Ahmed

no photo

|

Getty

Sarfaraz Ahmed admitted that leading the Pakistan team out in a bilateral series on home soil will become a highlight moment in his cricketing career. Sarfaraz and his fellow teammates have urged the local fans to come out in large numbers for the three-match ODI series starting on September 27.

For the first time since Zimbabwe’s visit in May 2015, Pakistan will hold an entire 50-over bilateral series against the Sri Lankans. All three matches will be played in Karachi, with the city hosting ODIs for the first time since January 2009 which was also against Sri Lanka.

"Leading the Pakistan cricket team in a bilateral ODI series in front of my home crowd will be one of the highlights of my career. I can't wait for Friday, which will mark the memorable occasion, and I hope when I walk out, I have a full-house behind me, not only cheering me but both sides. Fans are the lifeline for any sport as they are the driving force for any team or player. They give extra energy to the teams and help them produce their very best,” Sarfaraz said, reported Cricbuzz.

"History will be made on Friday when Karachi will host the first bilateral ODI series since January 2009. I request all local cricket fans to be part of history so that they can tell the next generation that they were at the National Stadium when an international series was played," he added.

Pakistan’s best ODI batsmen at the moment, Babar Azam, hopes that the locals will fill out the stadium just like the old days he remembers watching on television. Meanwhile, their head coach, Misbah-ul-Haq, became emotional as he recalled the last time an ODI was played at the National Stadium in Karachi. 

"Friday's match will be an emotional one for me as I played at the National Stadium when it last staged an ODI, also against Sri Lanka. Ten years later, I will start my time as head coach of the Pakistan national cricket team, so the time has moved really fast,” Misbah said.

"But one thing that stands firm is the history of Karachi crowds, which have always turned up in big numbers to support cricket. They have weathered all conditions and contributed to the success of international matches hosted at the National Stadium,” Misbah added.

After some major hiccups regarding security, the series was finally given the green signal by Sri Lanka Cricket after receiving firm assurances from their counterparts.

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all