KARACHI: Former Test cricketer and chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu congratulated the Pakistan team for their back to back wins against Zimbabwe and the UAE at the World Cup and said talented youngsters like Sohaib Maqsood, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed and Umar Akmal are the future hopes of Pakistan cricket and should be part of the team in every game from now on.

In a statement issued here, Sallu said it was good to see Pakistani batsmen finally coming good in the mega event.

“While I agree that both Zimbabwe and the UAE are not top ranked teams in international cricket, their participation in the World Cup shows that they have been good enough to be given a chance to rub shoulders with the best and Pakistan’s victory against them have been a definite morale booster,” said Sallu.

Backing dashing wicket-keeper/batsman Sarfraz for the remaining matches, Sallu said he has proved his credentials in all three formats of the game and can do a good job as opener in place of Nasir Jamshed who is clearly struggling with his form.

“Sarfraz is a real fighter and team man to the core and he should be given a chance in the tough matches ahead against South Africa and Ireland to boost our chances for the quarter-finals,” Sallu said.

“Almost all the noted critics and former greats including Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad, Ramiz Raja, Rashid Latif and others have admired Sarfraz’s guts and flair as a batsman and I feel he can bring back that touch of aggression in our top order that has been missing so far, especially when Nasir is not firing as opener.”

Published in Dawn March 5th , 2015

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