PAK vs SL | Umar Akmal and Shehzad will start performing once they settle, says Sarfaraz Ahmed
Having tasted a crushing 64-run loss at the hands of a second-string Lankan team, skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed backed his choice to field returning veterans Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal, who failed to make an impact. The decision was taken keeping in mind the upcoming T20 World Cup, claimed Sarfaraz.
The decision to field Shehzad and Akmal at the expense of in-form Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail invited an array of criticism towards the team management. Both Shehzad and Akmal, who made their debut almost 10 years ago, have been playing hide and seek in the team, especially after being axed by not only one but two head coaches, Waqar Younis and Mickey Arthur. Akmal last featured in a T20 match three years ago while Shehzad last played a T20I last year before he tested positive in a dope test.
"If you talk about previous two seasons, they were performers and they were again performers in the PSL. We are trying our fullest to give a complete chance to those who are brought back. There is nothing to worry. Both are experienced players and once they settle in, they will perform," said Sarfaraz as reported by ESPN Cricinfo.
"So [I give] my full backing for them as a captain. Fakhar and Haris both have been part of the team for some time now. When we brought back Ahmed and Umar, we intended to make them play in their own positions. Had we played Fakhar, then Ahmed would have been made to play at one down. Me and Misbah[-ul-Haq, the coach] bhai decided to try Ahmed as an opener. With our eyes on the World Cup, if Ahmed is able to settle himself at this number, we can never find a better player than him.
"Similar with Umar Akmal. We wanted to play him in his number and hence had to drop Haris, who we have seen and have no doubt about his ability. We played six new players in the side without thinking about winning or losing. We wanted to play them and give them confidence because for any player, making a comeback isn't really easy. You do come with performance in domestic but at the international level you take a few innings to get going," he added.
On the contrary, neither Shehzad nor Umar could grab the opportunity in the first T20 of the series. While Shehzad was bowled by Udana, after a couple of close calls, for 4 runs off nine deliveries. Akmal, on the other hand, went to bag a golden duck to take his tally to nine, the most by a Pakistan cricketer.
2019 hasn’t been quite the year for Pakistan cricket team in the shortest format as they seem miles away from their earlier form, which they showcased last year to become the No. 1 T20 side in ICC rankings. While they had won 17 of the 19 T20Is they played in 2018, they managed to win only one out of the five T20 matches they have featured in this year which includes their shocking defeat to the 8th ranked Sri Lanka.
"No team in T20 format is considered weak and we knew that on the day their team is strong and they have potential," Sarfaraz said. "They played better than us. They should be given credit. But I still back my team. It was a bad day for us and we didn't play good cricket. We will come back and it's going to be more exciting for the spectators as they will get to see more tough cricket.” said the 32-year-old Sarfaraz.
"Plus it isn't really easy to win all games but we did win 11 games in a row. This is a different time. Some players are making a comeback and it is tough. And there are few who are in the team but trying to get settled. We have all players who are match-winners and on their day they can win the game for the team single-handedly." Sarfaraz added before signing off.
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